It’s official. I am finally on Uni holidays and that means some free time to do what I love; relax in the hammock with a good book. Recently Nicola was kind enough to send me a copy of her book “Busted in Bollywood” for review and I was more than happy to oblige. I have to admit, I usually a bit adverse to reading romance novels, believing my cynicism stops me from enjoying the love filled plots and mushiness. But given Busted in Bollywood’s raving reviews and cultural aspect I gave it a shot and really surprised myself. I found myself wrapped in this zany story of friendship, rebellion and culture and spent 4 hours straight reading this book from cover to cover. The plot, although heart-felt is sassy and sexy and not at all overwhelming cheesy or mushy.

Plot Overview:
Shari is a Indo-American living in New York with her best friend Amrita. Having been fired and dumped by her married boss/lover Shari finds herself lost and in need of some direction. Amrita on the other hand is content with her single New York City lifestyle and finds the prospect of her pending arranged marriage to some stranger in Mumbai unappealing. With the help of her overzealous foodie Aunt, Amrita formulates a plan to dump her prospective husband, Rakesh. Shari is to travel to Mumbai as Amrita to meet Rakesh and his family. While there she is to undermine proceedings to an extent the marriage is called off.  Things take a turn for the worse and the plan is spoiled when Rakesh reveals that he knows Shari isn’t Amrita and of their plot to sabotage the marriage. Rakesh agrees to keep quiet about the deceit , ultimately saving Amrita’s reputation, in exchange for a meeting with the woman who went to such lengths to ditch him. From this point what was meant to be a clean cut ploy to ditch Amrita’s fiancée turns into mayhem. Not only has the plot to dump Rakesh been spoiled but Shari is mistaken for a famous Bollywood Actress, stalked by a handsome, cowboy hat wearing fan and falls for a man she shouldn’t. For a girl so hell bent on living a New York City lifestyle one Mojito Monday at a time, Shari is now faced with a decision that could not only change everything she thought she believed in, but her life forever. Did Mumbai steal the heart of this New York girl?

Busted in Bollywood is a flirty, light hearted story of friendship, culture and self-discovery. I found the storyline to be interesting and a great insight into Indian culture and cuisine. Nicola certainly paints a picture of Mumbai and Indian traditions which motivates the reader to not only continue reading but to scoff down a huge plate of jalebis in the process. If like myself you find yourself slightly adverse to romance novels I recommend this book as a starting point. Busted in Bollywood combines the right about of wit, romance and plot twists to make for a great read.

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3.

Written by Nicola Marsh, an Australian author who has penned 30 novels and sold 3 million copies, Busted in Bollywood is one of her most recent books. It is a fun romantic comedy set partly in Mumbai, home of Bollywood industry, and New York. Featuring a multinational cast of characters, Nicola builds the romantic tension as well as gives an insight into Indian cultural nuances on dating, marriage, and food. The story is about Shari Jones, an Indo-American girl, who agrees to her best friend Amrita’s whacky scheme: travel to Mumbai, pose as Amrita, and ditch the fiancé her traditional Indian parents have chosen. The fun begins once she lands in Mumbai, is mistaken for a famous Bollywood actress, stalked by a Lone Ranger wannabe, courted by an English lord, and busted by the blackmailing fiancé. The secondary characters such as the loud Indian aunt, Anjali, are enjoyable and would resonate with Indians who are likely to have a relative or two like her. Even though Nicola uses some stereotypes – including the mandatory Indian fortune teller – she does so without turning it into a cliched situation.

Films such as Bride & Prejudice and Monsoon Wedding have dived into the Bollywood culture and there have been some chick-lit novels that are set in Bollywood. But Nicola does a more “global” turn with her book. She presents Bollywood and Indian culture in a fun-filled, easy-to-relate-to romantic package that keeps the reader turning the pages. The ending, with its dramatic Bollywood tone, is a fitting climax to a story of colliding cultures and romantic alliances. This one has all the necessary ingredients for a Bollywood-meets-Hollywood rom-com or a pure Bollywood romance complete with the colourful song and dances.

Here’s a short interview with the author, Nicola Marsh.

What inspired you to write a rom-com set in Bollywood? Are you familiar with Bollywood films?

My dad watches Bollywood films almost daily and he got me hooked on them a few years ago. I loved the colour, drama, romance, music and all-round vibrancy, and thought I’d love to capture some of that in a book.

What has been the response to your book? Are readers interested in knowing more about India and/or Bollywood?

Luckily, readers have loved the book (with many warning not to read on an empty stomach because you’ll be starving for delicious Indian food by the time you finish!) I think India holds a fascination for most people so being able to travel vicariously to this wonderful, mystical land has huge appeal.

I love the way you blend Indians’ love for films, food and fortune-telling into your story. And of course, you throw in arranged marriages too! Was it all based on ‘great research over the Internet’ or do you have a secret Indian fairy guiding you? LOL.

Oooh…the secret Indian fairy guide sounds great! Where can I find one? My parents were born and raised in India so I’ve been immersed in some of the culture (mainly the food!) from a young age. Then the Bollywood flicks came along and Busted in Bollywood shimmered into my imagination piece by piece. I interviewed Indian friends for some of the more traditional aspects of the book (eg. Hindu wedding, which I’d love to go to one day, any one want to invite me? Pretty please?) and used the Internet a lot!

Are you thinking of writing a sequel to this or maybe a Bollywood series?

I actually have a firm idea for Divya’s story in my head, but I’m now writing for Harlequin Mills and Boon, Entangled Publishing, Month9Books and Crimson Romance, so the time factor isn’t great. Hopefully one day!

If this were to be made into a movie — do you see it as a rom-com for Western audiences or a song-and-dance type Bollywood film?

I see Busted in Bollywood as a rom-com for Western audiences, along the lines of Bride and Prejudice, with its mixed cast. Then again, I wouldn’t complain if it were made into a Bollywood film either!

{For more about Nicola, check out her website: http://www.nicolamarsh.com}

Today we are welcoming Nicola Marsh, author of Busted in Bollywood to the blog! She dropping by to answer some questions and tell us more about her book!  She has also kindly offered to give away a paperback copy of her book to a lucky reader with a US or Canadian mailing address.  To make things a bit more interesting, if you leave a question for Nicola I add extra entries for you!

So, sit back and enjoy…..and then fill out the form at the bottom of this post!

Barb – Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Nicola – I’m a busy mum who runs after her boys all day, then sits down at her computer every night to write. My work ‘day’ starts at 8.30pm but I don’t begrudge my lack of sleep. I’ve had the opportunity to watch my gorgeous boys grow and develop before my eyes, precious time I’ll always treasure.

Barb – What started you on your journey to be a writer?

Nicola – I’d worked as a physiotherapist for 13 years before I got tired of saying ‘I’m going to write a book one day’ and actually did it. Once I started writing I couldn’t stop.  I was lucky enough to sell fairly quickly (started writing late 2001, sold first book to Harlequin May 2003) I always wanted to write from a young age. I just got temporarily sidetracked into the medical field along the way.

Barb – Who are your cheerleaders? Who do you have that encourages you and keeps you writing?

Nicola – My hubby has great faith in me.  Because I write at night we don’t spend a lot of time together but that will change once my youngest is at school, so I appreciate his patience.

I also have a few close writer buddies who I couldn’t do without. We email daily, they’re my champions. It’s taken me a while to find them but now I have, I’m not letting go. It’s so nice to have buddies who ‘get’ me and the trials writing can bring.

Barb – Tell us about your new release in your own words.

Nicola – Busted in Bollywood is an eclectic mix of contemporary romance/romantic comedy/chicklit/women’s fiction. Think ‘Sex and the City’ meets ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. I love that it’s packed with secrets and deception and laughs and romance and food! As one reader described it, ‘hilariously scrumptious!’

Barb – What’s the hardest part of writing a book?

Nicola – Slogging through the middle. The first chapters fly and once I’m heading towards the end those words can’t get onto the page quick enough too. But it’s the dreaded ‘sagging middle’ I find tough, when characters are at loggerheads, conflict is escalating and we’re all trying to find a way out!

Barb – What’s your favorite part of writing a book?

Nicola – Definitely the start, when the brand new sparkly idea is exciting and beckoning and full of possibilities. Love that buzz of a new idea.  Then comes the hard part, actually writing the thing!

Barb – What type of scenes do you find the hardest to write?

Nicola – I think sex scenes are hardest to write, because I strive to keep them fresh and free of repetitive language (after all, there are only so many ways you can describe certain bits!) while maintaining the emotional underpinning of the scene.

Barb – Who is your favorite character in your new release?

Nicola – I should say Shari or Drew, the main characters, but I think deep down my favourite is Aunt Anjali. She’s hilarious and threatens to steal every scene she’s in, I love her!

Barb – Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Nicola – Hmm…not really, though I wouldn’t mind being Shari and having a hot, English guy lusting after me…

Barb – Do you have an all time favorite book?

Nicola – My favourite book would be Barbara Samuel’s ‘No Place Like Home’. So lush and evocative.

Barb – How can readers stay in touch?

Nicola – I love chatting with readers!

You can find me:

Website: http://www.nicolamarsh.com

Blog: http://nicolamarsh.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/NicolaMarshAuthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/NicolaMarsh

Barb – Where is your work available?

Nicola – BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD is available in print and e-book format online.

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Busted-Bollywood-Nicola-Marsh/dp/1937044637/

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/busted-in-bollywood-nicola-marsh/1034169575

Book Depository http://www.bookdepository.com/Busted-Bollywood-Nicola-Marsh/9781937044633

My Harlequin novels are available from the same online bookstores listed above, also http://www.eharlequin.com  and http://millsandboon.co.uk plus on shelves in all bookstores during release month.

Barb – Anything else to add?

Nicola – I have 2 other releases hot on the heels of BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD.

January sees the release of WHO WANTS TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE? (Harlequin Romance) and February brings INTERVIEW WITH THE DAREDEVIL (Harlequin Presents Extra.)

Both are fun and flirty, with an emotional core.

I’d like to thank Nicola for dropping by to share about her new book, and also to give away a copy to a lucky reader!

Shari Jones needs to get a life. Preferably someone else’s.

Single, homeless and jobless, Indo-American Shari agrees to her best friend’s whacky scheme: travel to Mumbai, pose as Amrita, and ditch the fiancé her traditional Indian parents have chosen. Simple. Until she’s mistaken for a famous Bollywood actress, stalked by a Lone Ranger wannabe, courted by an English lord, and busted by the blackmailing fiancé.
Life is less complicated in New York.

Or so she thinks, until the entourage of crazies follows her to the Big Apple and that’s when the fun really begins. Shari deals with a blossoming romance, an addiction to Indian food and her first movie role, while secretly craving another trip to the mystical land responsible for sparking her new lease on life. Returning to her Indian birthplace, she has an epiphany. Maybe the happily-ever-after of her dreams isn’t so far away?

 Want to know more? Sure you do

ShariJones needs to get a life. Preferably someone else’s. 

Single, homeless and jobless, Indo-American Shari agrees to her best friend’s whacky scheme: travel to Mumbai, pose as Amrita, and ditch the fiancé her traditional Indian parents have chosen. Simple. Until she’s mistaken for a famous Bollywood actress, stalked by a Lone Ranger wannabe, courted by an English lord, and busted by the blackmailing fiancé. 

Life is less complicated in New York. 

Or so she thinks, until the entourage of crazies follows her to the Big Apple and that’s when the fun really begins. Shari deals with a blossoming romance, an addiction to Indian food and her first movie role, while secretly craving another trip to the mystical land responsible for sparking her new lease on life. Returning to her Indian birthplace, she has an epiphany. Maybe the happily-ever-after of her dreams isn’t so far away?

So write yourself a note marking December 6th or head on over to Nicola’s blog for more information. As for me, I’ve got another mate with a Christmas book so my stocking is going to be overflowing.! Stay tuned for Rachael John’s  gorgeous cover, coming soon!