TLC Book Tours – Louisiana Catch by Sweta Vikram

Let’s kick off the week with some book tours!

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

LOUISIANA CATCH – Sweta Vikram (out now!)

Book Description:

Ahana, a wealthy thirty-three-year-old New Delhi woman, flees the pain of her mother’s death, and her dark past, by accepting a huge project in New Orleans, where she’ll coordinate an Annual Conference to raise awareness of violence against women. Her half-Indian, half-Irish colleague and public relations guru, Rohan Brady, who helps Ahana develop her online presence, offends her prim sensibilities with his raunchy humor. She is convinced that he’s a womanizer. Meanwhile, she seeks relief from her pain in an online support group, where she makes a good friend: the mercurial Jay Dubois, who is also grieving the loss of his mother. Her work in the U.S. and the online medium bring the two men into her life, and Ahana learns that neither is what he seems. With their differing sensibilities on a collision course, Ahana finds herself in a dangerous situation—and she discovers a side of herself that she never realized she had.

Louisiana Catch is an emotionally immersive novel about identity, shame, and who we project ourselves to be in the world. It’s a book about Ahana’s unreliable instincts and her ongoing battle to determine whom to place her trust in as she, Rohan, and Jay shed layers of their identities.

As Ahana matures from a victim of domestic sexual abuse into a global feminist leader, she must confront her issues, both with the men in her life and, ultimately, with her own instincts. Whom can she rely on to have her best interests at heart?

My Thoughts: 3.5/5 stars!

This book was not what I was expecting. This is rich in detail and we get to learn a lot about the Indian culture through the eyes of Ahana. The author does an amazing job capturing her emotional roller coaster throughout the book and how she copes with the tragedies she encounters. I don’t want to go into too much detail about this book because I think it is one that needs to be experienced.

Ahana had just gotten out of an abusive marriage and is trying to find her footing again. In a culture that frowns upon divorce she finds it difficult to cope with her new life, but she has the unconditional support of her parents. After the sudden death of her mother, Ahana is devastated and decides to accept a job that will bring her to New Orleans to speak at a conference about violence against women.

Along the way she meets two very interesting men – Rohan who is her social media guru for this upcoming event and Jay, who she meets in an online support group she joined after her mother passed away. I think the author does a great job flushing out the characters and establishing their relationships. There were some parts that moved a little slower for me, but nothing that took me out of it! If you’re looking for a more emotional read that pulls you into Ahana’s life and culture, then I would highly recommend this one.

About the Author:

Sweta Srivastava Vikram (www.swetavikram.com), featured by Asian Fusion as “one of the most influential Asians of our time,” is a best-selling author of 12 books, five-times Pushcart Prize nominee, coach, holistic wellness entrepreneur, and a certified yoga & Ayurveda counselor who helps people lead creative, productive, and healthier lives. Louisiana Catch (Modern History Press 2018) is her debut U.S. novel. It’s the #1 new release on Amazon under women’s divorce fiction and featured on U.K.’s list of “Books to Read in 2018.” Sweta won Voices of the Year Award, past recipients of which have been Chelsea Clinton, for her work with Louisiana Catch and her tireless support of women who have experienced sexual assault and abuse. Born in India, Sweta spent her formative years between the Indian Himalayas, North Africa, and the United States collecting and sharing stories. She writes hopeful stories about multiculturalism and women’s issues with a healthy dose of suspense, reflection, wellness, and food. Sweta, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, amongst other publications, across nine countries on three continents, is an award-winning writer and graduate of Columbia University. She lives in New York City with her husband and in her spare time, teaches yoga to female survivors of rape and domestic violence. You can find her in these online spaces: Twitter (@swetavikram), Instagram (@swetavikram), and Facebook.

Where to Purchase a Copy:

IndieBound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble