Guest Post by Indian Author Summerita Rhayne
What made you decide to include Bollywood in this romance novel (was it maybe inspired by a certain Bollywood movie)?
Hi Devika! Thank you for having me on your blog.
I think you have a very valid question here. The setting of a novel always has a big influence on the story. Why did Bollywood feature in this book?
My first response is, how could it not? But, upon reflection, I think I can pinpoint certain reasons which make the background a must for this book.
Is it inspired by a Bollywood movie? I’m a big fan of Bollywood, though also a big leg puller of the masala films. With all due - or undue (hope the directors are not listening!) respect for the spicy celluloid smashes, I can’t think of m(any) films which center completely on the romantic emotional arc of the protagonists, as this one does, not in recent times, anyway. If you can suggest any such movie, I’d be happy to hear of it.
Why this book was set in Bollywood goes back to my love of the Indian cinema. If we cast a look at the older classics, they are much more versatile and ranged in their type of protagonists. Similarly, Piya’s character is a complete antithesis of what heroines are supposed to be. I heard snatches of what celebrities experience and some of it ended up in the book, though never in the same way. For example, actresses often die lonely and un-cherished even though they are celebrated in their heyday. Piya feels a fear of being lonely that might spring from being on the same platform. That fear is one of her motivations to get married even when she has no intention of doing it as a successful heroine.
In no other field is the requirement to be competitive so urgent, because many times talent and looks are so intermixed in this industry, especially for women. That is again a battle that Piya faces. I must say the Indian leading ladies have broken the bar set for being skinny. We have many plump actors in recent releases. Age and marital status is also rapidly becoming a non-issue where certain female actors are concerned. Hope this trend continues.
The foremost reason for Piya being a Bollywood diva is that her character justifies that role. She’s faced the ups and downs of the cinematic world, but her own personal fears make her suspicious of emotional ties and she discovers that she has many lessons to learn before she can open her heart to love.
Hi Devika! Thank you for having me on your blog.
I think you have a very valid question here. The setting of a novel always has a big influence on the story. Why did Bollywood feature in this book?
My first response is, how could it not? But, upon reflection, I think I can pinpoint certain reasons which make the background a must for this book.
Is it inspired by a Bollywood movie? I’m a big fan of Bollywood, though also a big leg puller of the masala films. With all due - or undue (hope the directors are not listening!) respect for the spicy celluloid smashes, I can’t think of m(any) films which center completely on the romantic emotional arc of the protagonists, as this one does, not in recent times, anyway. If you can suggest any such movie, I’d be happy to hear of it.
Why this book was set in Bollywood goes back to my love of the Indian cinema. If we cast a look at the older classics, they are much more versatile and ranged in their type of protagonists. Similarly, Piya’s character is a complete antithesis of what heroines are supposed to be. I heard snatches of what celebrities experience and some of it ended up in the book, though never in the same way. For example, actresses often die lonely and un-cherished even though they are celebrated in their heyday. Piya feels a fear of being lonely that might spring from being on the same platform. That fear is one of her motivations to get married even when she has no intention of doing it as a successful heroine.
In no other field is the requirement to be competitive so urgent, because many times talent and looks are so intermixed in this industry, especially for women. That is again a battle that Piya faces. I must say the Indian leading ladies have broken the bar set for being skinny. We have many plump actors in recent releases. Age and marital status is also rapidly becoming a non-issue where certain female actors are concerned. Hope this trend continues.
The foremost reason for Piya being a Bollywood diva is that her character justifies that role. She’s faced the ups and downs of the cinematic world, but her own personal fears make her suspicious of emotional ties and she discovers that she has many lessons to learn before she can open her heart to love.
Book Club Spotlight for "More Than Just Desire"
A Passionate Romance
by
Summerita Rhayne
More Than Just Desire
Blurb
by
Summerita Rhayne
More Than Just Desire
The Bollywood diva who ran away
Piya walked out of an explosive situation three years ago. She married Arfaaz for security but left him facing chaos she created. Now she's back in Bollywood and searching for the crown she gave up when she ran away. In the competitive world of starry glamour, the only way she can begin her career anew is to trash the past and get a divorce.
Piya walked out of an explosive situation three years ago. She married Arfaaz for security but left him facing chaos she created. Now she's back in Bollywood and searching for the crown she gave up when she ran away. In the competitive world of starry glamour, the only way she can begin her career anew is to trash the past and get a divorce.
The man who wants her atonement
Arfaaz is determined to get his revenge on Piya for making a farce of their marriage and leaving him to face the mudslinging. He forces her to keep up the appearances and stay with him so she can play the loving wife and repent on her sins. But Piya drives him crazy with her antics. On the top of that, the attraction between them sizzles and threatens to make him forget reason.
A passionate conflict
Piya knows she has lessons to learn but she cannot let this man enter her heart. There is too much to risk and she cannot afford to forget the real reason she has come back. Success is her mantra and her worship. She can be faithful to only her goal...
Prologue
The limo slid through wrought iron gates and came to a stop in front of the entrance of the huge house designed like an ultra modern Italian villa.
‘I’m not getting out here. I’ve booked a room and I want to go to my hotel.’ She averted her gaze and stared straight ahead as Arfaaz held the door open.
For answer, he paused. An inhalation expanded his chest, drawing her unwilling gaze. He’d discarded the ridiculous narrow jacket and the white dress shirt drew taut against his pectorals, sending something threatening and alien coiling through her.
The next moment he’d swooped down and picked her up, taking advantage of her inattention.
His hands went under her as he gathered her in his arms as easily as he would a bird in his hand. She had to duck her head to escape the side of the car and then he was slamming the door shut with a foot kick.
‘How dare you!’ She flailed at him furiously, pent-up frustration escaping. ‘Let me go. Now!’
He was warm, too much so. She found her throat clogging for some unknown reason.
Before she could react anymore, he let her slide down, but she was struggling and squirming so much, she lost her balance and fell, smack against his body.
He stepped back as though she burned him and mortification swept over her skin at the implied rejection.
‘You can’t force me to do what you want!’ she bit out, breathless from effort.
‘I’ll get what I need to know out of you anyway I can.’
‘What do you want to know? Why am I here? Okay, I’ll tell you. It’s to lay down this ghost between us. This meaningless tie...’ She made a gesture to denote contempt and tipped up her chin at him. ‘I want a divorce, Arfaaz. And I want it as quickly as possible.’
‘Very well.’ The soft agreement dropped in the silence with thunderous force, like a rock thudding down from the mountain. ‘Don’t doubt it, Piya. You’ll get it.’
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Summerita Rhayne writes contemporary and historical romance with lots of emotional conflict. She first got published in 2013 and has won contests with prestigious publishers such as Harlequin and Harper Collins India. She firmly believes if the inspiration is strong enough, the story characters will find a way to make the writer pen them down, even when writing time is in short supply. When cerebrally confronted with the sizzling interaction of two Alpha characters, the only way to get peace is write their book!
At heart, she's a family person and even though she loves her medical teaching profession, she happily becomes a homemaker when not at work. She loves winding down with music, romcoms, cricket (strictly watching only) and social networking.
At heart, she's a family person and even though she loves her medical teaching profession, she happily becomes a homemaker when not at work. She loves winding down with music, romcoms, cricket (strictly watching only) and social networking.
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