Sunday, 23 August 2026

5 Star Rating - Shadows in the Dark - Thrilling, Suspenseful Novel

 (Recd. a 5 star rating at amazon.in. Do read the review at the end of this post.)

Its e-book will be available for just $ 3.99 at www.amazon.com from 24th to 31st August, 2026 under a Kindle Countdown Deal, at a whopping discount!

Do consider buying a copy. Enjoy reading it and post your invaluable review online at www.amazon.com to enable me to get more readers and reviewers.

E-book

Dear friends,

Often, the questions that niggle one are "Who am I? Where do I come from? Where do I go henceforth?"

Why these questions keep recurring in one's mind is beyond anyone! But when they do rear their heads regularly, the quest begins earnestly.

To find out more about the answers. To ensure peace. Not only with oneself but with one's milieu.

In this intriguing novel, Dr. Ajoy Mitra is one such troubled soul who is at great pains to unearth secrets. Of the past!

Caught willy-nilly in his life's mission are his clever protégés, Himesh and Shivani. And a host of other enigmatic characters!

Will they succeed in the mission?

Do purchase this suspenseful, thrilling e-book, read it and find out! In case you are a die-hard fan of a hard copy paperback, (Who isn't?), you could opt to purchase one so that you could keep reliving the excitement of reading this thriller all over again. And again...
And share your excitement with your friends too!

Your invaluable, online feedback is eagerly awaited. Your support is crucial and most welcome! Thanks in anticipation. 

Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

*****

 YOU COULD EVEN PERUSE MY OTHER 27 E-BOOKS (23 PAPERBACK VERSIONS TOO!). 


Thanks. Happy reading! Have a great day ahead!

Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

Here's the e-book's link! Preview a sample of the book for free....

Shadows in the Dark

$0.00Free with Kindle Unlimited membership

Buy for $6.99

 

·         Books

·         

·         Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

·         

·         Mystery


Shadows in the Dark Paperback – Large Print, July 1, 2021


Paperback

Excerpt

                                   As if on cue, Himesh signalled a boatman who had been impatiently looking at them all the while, hoping for passengers.  As the boat touched the lowermost step of the ghat, Mira and Himesh raced down and hopped into the narrow canoe. Both were as excited as small children. When the boatman started laboriously rowing away from the shore, both revelled in the scenery around them. 

                                   Fascinated, they observed the ancient Mahakaleshwar temple slowly receding from sight, along with the ghats. Once in the middle of the river, they looked appreciatively at the hills and greenery all around them. The vast blue sky was reflected in the equally vast expanse of calm and clear water. The peaceful silence was overpowering. They too were under its spell, as they gazed alternately at the scenery and at each other. Only the rhythmic noise of the oars against the water, the slight puffing of the burly boatman and their heartbeats broke the spell.

                                     Himesh looked at Mira, devouring her trim figure clad in a long tribal-print skirt and plain white blouse, with her long and straight black hair pulled into a high ponytail that enhanced her high forehead and delicate cheekbones. Her no makeup look suited her. Her dark eyes now had a dreamy, far-away look. He felt like kissing her, but the grim boatman deterred him.

                                    Mira had also looked longingly at Himesh, appreciating his casual yet chic dressing style. He looked gorgeous in his navy blue jeans, sky-blue T-shirt and grey sneakers. As the breeze ruffled his thick hair, she longed to run her fingers through his hair too! But one look at the inscrutable boatman gave her jitters.

                                   Suddenly Himesh’s funny-bone peaked up. “Hey look, a crocodile!”

    End of the excerpt

The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Intrigued about Dr. Mitra and his quest? Do purchase a copy and read it to find about about what happens next! Please don't forget to post a review at the Amazon website. Thanks in anticipation. Priya

https://www.amazon.in/Shadows-Dark-Priya-Ramesh-Swaminathan-ebook/dp/B098JPZNL3/



 Shadows in the Dark

by Priya Ramesh Swaminathan  | 1 July 2021

5.0 out of 5 stars 1

Kindle Edition

 

Free with Kindle Unlimited membership Learn More

Or 449 to buy

Top review from India

Rajni

 5.0 out of 5 stars

  Mystery novel at its best

  Reviewed in India on 31 August 2021

Dear mystery aficionados! You are in for a treat! Author Priya Ramesh Swaminathan has concocted a tale of an anthropologist researcher and his two dedicated assistants. The other characters in the plot add to the suspense and strange things happening at the site. The author has played with words and adds her inimitable style to the setting of the story. So what are you waiting for? It's time to read and unravel the secrets to fully solve the mystery woven in this gripping novel. Best wishes to the author and the readers.

*******************

On 22nd August, 2026, Amazon deleted the statistics pertaining to the earlier Kindle Discount Deals pertaining to this book for the previous years as soon as I finished scheduling this deal. I saw those deals vanishing right in front of my eyes, with sheer disbelief and horror!

 Wonder why Amazon performed the Houdini trick? Has someone already plagiarized this book? If Amazon is aiding and abetting that plagiarist, it had better be aware! Amazon has done the same thing to my book - The Trophy Wife, for which a lawsuit is on its way....

Plagiarists, BEWARE! You and anyone (no matter how powerful or influential) who aids and abets you, will be prosecuted for copyright infringement!

Tuesday, 18 August 2026

The Call of the Wild - In Pune! Do Visit Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Center in Katraj

 

Water-snakes:Cool sight!
Black-bucks:Peaceful repose!



                 Our visit to the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Center in Katraj remains etched in our memories. It is about 15 kms. away from Shivajinagar Station and probably equidistant from Pune Station too. It’s amazing that such a verdant, forest-like area is situated within the city’s limits.
 
                  After you buy the entrance fees, you are stopped at the entrance for ensuring that you don’t carry thin plastic carry bags into the reserved area. We were pleased to see that the ‘No Plastic’ rule was being strictly enforced there.

                   Once inside the place, you are handed a map of the zoo along with general instructions regarding the visit. The first stop, of course, is the Snake Park. Various varieties of snakes like vipers, cobras, pythons, water-snakes, etc. and turtles, iguanas, alligators, crocodiles, etc. hypnotize the viewers to observe their movements for many breath-taking moments. A display with a glass box filled with stones informs viewers that these were the stones thrown by the visitors at the snakes. Hence one is cautioned to be humane towards the reptiles.

                   Various boards proclaim the species, their distinguishing features, habitats, food habits and variety; beside each pit. A display of posters depicts how one could protect oneself from snake-bites. Another hoarding displays facts regarding how the snakes use their mouths to devour their prey. A poster also informs people about how the antidote serum (Anti-venom) to treat snake-bite, is actually derived from the snakes’ venom itself.

Star-backed tortoise - Snoozing?
                   We sat awhile at a small amphitheater created there, probably to show films on the conservation of wildlife, to small groups of visitors. After having some sandwiches, we started visiting the various areas earmarked for birds and animals. 
 
                    The paths have been concretised, (an earlier visit had us hot and dusty, as the paths weren’t in place then); but this time, it was a very pleasant experience. Clean toilets and drinking water supply at regular intervals in the zoo, were a welcome relief. No more searching for broad-trunk trees to shield us from the public gaze while answering nature’s call in the wild (childhood memories of picnics)! Benches and small lawns to lounge have been thoughtfully provided throughout the zoo’s premises. There is even a nice hall with stone benches all around to have that picnic lunch or to snooze and have a breather!

                 For those who are too lazy to walk or those who are unable to walk due to old age, etc. battery-operated vehicles ferry the visitors throughout the zoo; stopping at the various enclosures en-route.

                  We saw a monkey playfully hanging from the branches of a tree, a prickly porcupine bristling with energy and walking about animatedly, a shiny black bear ambling, black-bucks, sambars and neelgai strolling, a leopard snoozing, elephants having a meal of grass; all in their respective, huge natural enclosures. We also saw pea-hens (The peacocks were missing) and owls. We sorely missed seeing the tigers (both yellow and white), the fox and the wolf. They were probably having a siesta somewhere in their huge enclosures or peevishly denying us a sighting for having confined them to their enclosures; instead of letting them roam free in the wild.
Neelgai and deer co-existing peacefully!


                Most of the animals have been adopted by wild-life lovers who provide for their upkeep. Their names are mentioned on the name-plates outside the respective enclosures.

The picturesque and inviting Katraj lake
                The picturesque Katraj lake can be seen from within the zoo. It is strictly out-of-bounds and has been suitably barricaded. The dazzling lake is vast and ringed by hills and enveloped by greenery. Just gazing at it is soothing and enchanting.

                  As we left this dense forest and 

retraced our steps outside, we were welcomed by urban chaos in the form of a traffic jam right outside the zoo, on the main road; hawkers and food-stall owners vying loudly for our attention.

                  We were tired and hungry and opted for pav-bhaji for myself and misal-pav for my hubby, followed by ice-cream for myself and tea for my hubby. Then we braced ourselves for the long bus ride home. After changing two buses, we reached home, sweet home. But the visions of the scenic, peaceful zoo where there was perfect harmony between the wild creatures and nature, refused to fade.

                 Yes, this place is definitely worth a visit, especially for photography-enthusiasts. The visiting hours are between 9.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. During vacation time, the visiting hours are extended by an hour till 7 p.m.
******************************************************************************
Explanatory notes:
Neelgai – A bluish tinted wild cow.
Pav-bhaji – A popular snack comprising of buttered small bread loaves (Buns) and spicy, mixed-vegetable gravy.
Misal-pav – A popular Maharashtrian snack comprising of bread loaves (Buns) and spicy gravy made of lentils.

The copyright of this article and photographs is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Recently, my friends and I visited this haven of tranquility for a get-together amidst nature's bounty. Some snapshots...



                  

Saturday, 15 August 2026

Last Day for the Kindle Discount - Hurry! - The Unending Nightmare

 Dear friends,

LAST DAY TODAY, TO READ THIS THRILLER AT A DISCOUNT! BUCK UP!

Kindly purchase and peruse "The Unending Nightmare" - E-book written by me. It's available as a paperback too for die-hard paperback fans!
 
It's a thrilling and suspenseful book that will keep you guessing till the very end.
 
It will be available for just $2.99 (at a whopping discount of 58%) at www.amazon.com till 16th August, 2026.

Do post a review online at Amazon to enable me to get more readers and reviewers!
 
Thanks in anticipation. Priya

                                                     FOREWORD

“Forget the past and move on!” How easy it is, for people to thus advise a person, who is struggling with the unpleasant memories of a gory past! As if it is so easy to erase memories, more so, nasty ones!

Often such a troubled person will take such advice and truly try to move on, but his mind will prevent him from doing so. If he ignores the well-meant but impractical advice, he will be plagued by recurring nightmares of his past.

Reena is one such troubled soul, trying hard to put her dark past behind and forge ahead in life. Yet the past catches up with her and pursues her till her very sanity is at stake!

To be one up on it, she devises lots of plans but what will be, will be…

Follow gutsy Reena on her quest for a peaceful life, fighting bravely against all odds, all alone.

Will she succeed in her difficult and challenging mission?

Read on to find out, in this edgy thriller…

                                         

  Here's the link: Preview a sample for free!

THE UNENDING NIGHTMARE

by Priya Ramesh Swaminathan | Jan 12, 2022
Free with Kindle Unlimited membership Join Now
Available instantly
Or $6.99 to buy

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09QCL8DBB
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Priya Ramesh Swaminathan
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 12, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 220 pages 
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled 

                                                  AN EXCERPT

        My childhood activity during boring summer vacations had helped me just then. Writing words in reverse on a mirror and viewing those in the mirror on the cupboard had been my favorite activity then. Had been often beaten by Mom for ruining her expensive lipsticks and eye-brow pencils!

          Now my expensive maroon lipstick, my favorite color, bought especially for my wedding, was ruined. The tip had broken as half a chunk of the lipstick had got detached due to my frenzied writing. I grabbed it and threw it on to the top of the dressing table.

          The knob of the door turned, just as I turned to look at the door. A stream of white light poured in. I closed my aching eyes to keep them from hurting. I felt two soft arms around me. Then one arm gently lifted me, supporting my lower back, unmindful of the howl that escaped my swollen lips. My eyes, still closed; I could feel being dragged towards my bed. 
                                                
                                          END OF THE EXCERPT 

         Collage created by me with the help of Canva.com! Do you like it?

                 Intrigued? Can't wait to find out what happens next? Instantly purchase the e-book and settle down for a highly entertaining and suspenseful reading session. Don't forget to post your review online! Do spread the good word around!

Thanks. Priya😍 


     The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.