I wanted to share a new novel with you called Shadow of the Taj by Lara Bernhardt (Author) that I received a copy of in exchange for this review. Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage off the items you purchase.
Shadow of the Taj is the story of Ravena, a 12 year old who got caught in India’s sex trafficking industry, as well as some of the other women from the same brothelI, The first half of the book was almost too difficult to read because the events mirror the actual reality of the sex trade and human trafficking that occurs everyday in too many parts of the world. The book begins with a chance trip to a Zoo, Leslie sees a pre-teen girl, adorned with makeup and provocative garb, being molested while dancing for money
In the story the Author brings us poverty, abuse, slavery, human-trafficking, and even resignation, where females aren’t valued as highly as males. The setting of the story is set in India, but it could be any Country in the world. You must prepare yourself mentally at this book touches on some touchy subjects including sex-trafficking of a little girl.
About the Book:
“Lara Bernhardt writes with ferocious honesty and tenderness, laying open the ugly world of the trafficking of young girls with a bright spear of hope.”—Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times best-selling author of The Deep End of the Ocean
★Pulpwood Queens & Timber Guys International Book Club Official Selection★
★Oklahoma Book Awards Best Fiction Finalist★
★KBR 2022 Literary Fiction Semifinalist★
How much would you risk to save one child?
Leslie Matthews travels to India with her husband on a business trip, never expecting it will turn her life upside-down. During a trip to the Zoo, she meets Raveena, an orphan desperate for someone to save her from a harrowing fate. Leslie tries to rescue Raveena from a sordid, exploitative underworld, but powerful and brutal men hold the girl and don’t intend to let anyone take her. Leslie tumbles into a terrifying underworld of systemic abuse she knows nothing about. But she won’t stop until Raveena is safe, regardless of the cost.
In a battle against impossible odds, Leslie wagers everything she has—including her life—to free Raveena.
Shadow of the Taj is a deeply moving, inspirational novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. A must read!
Meet the Author: Lara Bernhardt
Lara Bernhardt is an award-winning author of women’s fiction and supernatural suspense novels. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and her books have been finalists for the Oklahoma Book Award for Best Fiction and chosen as Pulpwood Queens International Book Club Official Selections. She holds a Master’s of English Education and teaches workshops on writing and editing. Previously, Lara acted as Editor-in-Chief of Balkan Press and the literary magazine Conclave. You can follow her on all the socials @larawells1 on Twitter and @larabern10 on Facebook, BookBub, and Instagram.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
