Shadows in the Dark - An enigmatic thriller!

   Shadows in the Dark - An enigmatic thriller! 

(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 $ 1.99 at www.amazon.com from 29th April to 6th May, 2023 under a Kindle Countdown Deal, at a whopping discount of 72%! 

Do consider buying a copy. Enjoy reading it and post your invaluable review online at www.amazon.com. Your review will also be posted on this blog.☺

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 24 E-BOOKS (21 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

$0.00$0.00Free with Kindle Unlimited membership

Buy for $6.99

 

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

by Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan (Author)

---

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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 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! 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

 

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Top review from India

Rajni

 5.0 out of 5 stars

 0 out of 5 stars5.0 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.

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

An Ode To My Dear Mother-in-law - Mrs. Prema Nathan

     This month, my dear mother-in-law would have been 93! She left us for her Heavenly abode at 91, leaving behind a lifetime of fond memories.... My novel titled No Mother-in-law, Please! is an ode to all mothers-in-law, in all their myriad forms!                                             

                                                 No Mother-in-law, Please!

                                                                      By 

                                               Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

                                             The copyright of this novel is with

                                             Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

My MIL, at her 80th Birthday Celebrations!

This book is humbly dedicated to my mother-in-law, Prema Nathan. She is a simple, talented and god-fearing lady. After her husband’s early demise, she single-handedly and ably brought up her two children.

Among her noteworthy talents are singing, steno-typing, playing the violin, embroidery, tailoring and cooking.

She is a stickler for time and tidiness. She loves to regale us with mythological stories and anecdotes from her family’s history. At 90, she’s a bundle of energy, bustling about the house with élan.

Above all, she has a mind of her own and doesn’t hesitate to call a spade, a spade! 

Here’s wishing her a long, healthy and peaceful life!

My Dad and MIL!

List of books written by me:

(Author - Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan)

The Enigma and other stories

The Obsession

The Mysterious Basement of Summer City (Prize-winning, debut novel)

Wow! Wrong Number

You Compromise, I Won’t!

Unconditional Love in Exchange

Just Not Meant For Marriage!

The Byline and other stories

A Good Old Rumor! and other stories

 The Celestial Souls of Khambetka

 Of Siblings and E-Friends

 Dad’s Great, Boys! 

 God’s Will

 The Trophy Wife

Shadows in the Dark

Neha's Quest

Ghosts of the Past

My Life, My Way!

Everyone

The Unending Nightmare

Once Again

The Long-distance Relationship

 The Love-addict (www.freeditorial.com)

 A Suitor for the Princess (https://radiantpriyasvision.blogspot.com)

                                          No Mother-in-law, Please! (www.wattpad.com)

    Foreword

     One word that strikes unimaginable terror in a young bride’s heart is ‘mother-in-law’. It is not surprising, as a lady who is utmost loving and compassionate as a mother, often becomes a despicable ogre as soon as she becomes a mother-in-law! 

     The reasons could be several, such as a difference in opinions, points-of-view, temperaments and attitudes; ego, one-upmanship, bias, prejudice, greed, jealousy and hatred.

     Often, life after marriage becomes a continuous tussle between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, with the husband/son sandwiched helplessly between the two warring ladies. Each lady tries to exert her control over the man and the household and establish her supremacy.

     A lady, who has been tortured by her mother-in-law as a newly-wed bride, viciously and gleefully takes over the onerous mantle effortlessly, when she becomes a mother-in-law!

     No wonder then that many a young girl these days has a strict (often unspoken) rule when she decides to marry. ‘No mother-in-law, please!’ Obviously, she wants to live peacefully and happily with her husband, without the baggage of a nagging mother-in-law!

     But there are always exceptions to the rule!

My niece (and student) Deepesha is in the list of champions! - Math-letics Challenge

 

I have created this beautiful collage with the help of Canva. Thanks, Canva!

From a student who was very wary of Maths as a kid, my niece and student, Deepesha, has become quite an expert at it! She gets full marks in Algebra. She misses the full score due to silly mistakes, in Geometry! 

Now she has been promoted to the 10th standard. Life for her has suddenly become more hectic, thanks to coaching classes and regular classes...

Just a few days ago, she accepted the Math-letics Challenge that was suggested to her out of the blue, by her father; while she was travelling to Shirdi in a cab!

And lo behold! She completed it in the requisite time and managed to appear in the list of finalists, 13 in all!

Hearty congrats dear! Keep it up!

Priya Bua

Hearty congrats to all the children who participated, as it is the spirit of participation and healthy competition that ultimately counts...

World Heritage Day - 18th April - Value Your Heritage!

    Recently we visited the first city in India to get the tag of the UNESCO World Heritage City - Ahmedabad. After visiting its numerous heritage structures, we realized that it indeed was a treasure-trove of our rich cultural and architectural heritage. 

     In my blog dated 24th February, I have relived my experience at Ahmedabad. Do peruse it!

     As an avid traveler who has visited lots of Indian heritage sites and been awe-struck by their resilience and sheer magnificence, I have lots of photographs to share. Here are some heritage landmarks:

Jantar-mantar  -  Jaipur, Rajasthan

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Dargah - Ajmer, Rajasthan

Velankanni Church - Nagapattiam, Tamil Nadu

Shore temples - Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu

Living heritage! 100 year old banyan tree - Auroville, Puducherry

Aurobindo Ashram - Puducherry

Fort Saint George - Chennai (First British Fortress of India) Tamil Nadu

Government museum - Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Chidambaram temple - Chidambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Varadaraja Perumal temple - Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Sri Siddhi Vinayak Temple - Siddhatek, Maharashtra

Sri Jagdish temple - Udaipur, Gujarat

City Palace - Udaipur, Rajasthan

Saheliyon-ki-bawdi - Udaipur, Rajasthan

Ummed Bhawan palace - Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Mehrangarh fort - Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Jaswant Thada - Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Cenotaph - Mandore, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Zenana Mahal - Mandore, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Ambaji temple - Ambaji, Gujarat

Amer Fort - Jaipur, Rajasthan

World's largest cannon on wheels - Jaigarh Fort, Rajasthan

Amer Fort - Jaipur, Rajasthan

Maharaja Jaisingh's Palace - Jaipur, Rajasthan

Hawa Mahal - Jaipur, Rajasthan

St. Patrick's Cathedral - Pune, Maharashtra

Sun temple - Modhera, Gujarat

Sabarmati Ashram - Sabarmati, Gujarat

Adalaj step-well - Adalaj, Gujarat

The Empress Botanical Garden - Pune, Maharashtra

The Chennai Municipal Corporation building - Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Salarjung Museum - Hyderabad

Charminar - Hyderabad

Pichavaram mangroves - Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

Taj Mahal - Agra, U.P.

Buland Darwaza - Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, U.P.

Panch Mahal
Rani Jodhabai's Palace - Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, U.P.

Ramgarh Palace - Varanasi, U.P.

Khwaja Salim Chisti's Dargah - Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, U.P.

The Sacred Ganges - Varanasi 

Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) - Amritsar, Punjab

You could read detailed reviews of most of these places on this blog and on tripadvisor.in. Many travelogues have also been published in Sakal newspaper, published in Pune. You could peruse them at www.sakaltimes.com.

By the way, in my opinion, most of the cities in India would qualify for the UNESCO World Heritage City tag as architectural gems dot our country, making it vibrant and a tourist's delight!

Our ancient Indian civilization and its way of life has charmed visitors for centuries and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the ages to come. Long Live India!

I eagerly await the time when I will be able to visit all the heritage sites of the world. May it come soon...

I am delighted to inform you that I have been in the top 10% (once, even in the top 4%) of contributors from Pune; to www.tripadvisor.in.

All the photographs have been clicked by me! Hope you like them!

Unique 'n' Cool Workshops, Summer Camp 2023 - Priya's Vision Academy

                                           WELCOME TO CHILL OUT!

                FOUR UNIQUE 'N' COOL WORKSHOPS

                                         MAY 2023

                 The Summer Camp will be conducted by Priya's Vision Academy 

at Jump Thru Joy Preschool on Pashan-Sus Road, Pune

Hurry up, kids from Pune! We are eagerly looking forward to meeting you all!

Welcome to our family!

KCD - You Compromise, I Won't! -

                                            Kindle Countdown Deal - You Compromise, I Won't!

My e-book, a collection of engrossing, slice-of-life stories is now available for only $0.99 at www.amazon.com till the 8th of April, 2023. Hurry! Only 2 days left! Kindly consider purchasing and perusing it. Also don't forget to post your invaluable reviews at Amazon. Thanks in anticipation. Priyaa

How Kimaya Devi Lost an Election! - An Excerpt

“And what can I do for you, Madam?”

“I wish to contest the Assembly elections as an independent candidate. I don’t know how to go about it. Will you help me?”

“Anything for you Madam,” he smiled meaningfully. She ignored his sly smile and continued, “I mean that I want you to take me under your wing and train me for the same. I’ll be ever-grateful to you.”

“I’ll teach you the ropes, Madam. But first let me inform you that it’ll be better if you contest for an established party, instead of contesting as an independent candidate. Your chances of winning will be better, as that party will throw all its money and muscle power behind your candidature. You’ll not have the tension of raising funds, or the headache of gathering resources and man-power. It’ll all be made readily available to you. Of course, you’ll be expected to toe its line, but you may function independently within the ambit of your vested powers. Once you learn the ropes, the sky will be the limit for you. Who knows, you may be the next CM…! ”

“Oh, come, come, Sir, please don’t show me such far-away dreams. First things first! How do we start? I agree that contesting for a recognised party symbol will give me more leverage. I’m sure that you’ll want me to go with your party, isn’t it?”

“Right, young lady. I must say that you are very sharp. You’ll definitely go far.” His broad and square-jawed face creased into an ingratiating grin. He straightened the creases of his starched white pyjamas and kurta, as if to draw her attention to his massive frame. He self-consciously touched his bald and oily pate and smoothed the sparse grey hair at the back of his head.

End of Excerpt

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

Intrigued? Can't wait to find out what happens next? Hurry! Purchase the e-book and enjoy your delightful reading session.... Only 2 days left for the discount to end....

B

Do read Vijay Singh, my student's review, of this book; on this blog.

Blog-post dated 23rd July, 2017

( I was pleasantly surprised when he dropped in one day and presented me with a copy of this book that he had purchased!

Here's his review:

Priya Ma’am,

“What a creative and thoughtful book 'You compromise, I won’t! - No right or wrong' I love it! You apply words so appropriately in the sentence.”

Till now I have got only 1 book from your wonderful collection. It took 20 days to deliver on my address.

Just now I finished your wonderful book "No right or wrong…" It’s an awesome collection of stories. Just loved it!

Feeling happy while reading all stories line by line. Still thinking how beautifully you have placed some unknown words for me, which forced me to take out the dictionary.

Trying to learn some clues from your published book and learn these skills from you Ma'am.

It’s amazing! The way you explain the incidents with your magical words, it’s beautiful and motivating to read the whole book ceaselessly.

My review is - Perfect blend of innovation & contemporary issues. Ma'am is an inspiring writer.

Thanks a lot.

Regards,

Vijay

(Thanks Vijay, for your kind words and appreciation. You are also a wonderful and promising writer, so I take your review of my novel as a huge compliment! - Priya Swaminathan)

The Baby-doll - An Excerpt from my e-book, You Compromise, I Won't!

                                           Kindle Countdown Deal - You Compromise, I Won't!

My e-book, a collection of engrossing, slice-of-life stories is now available for only $0.99 at www.amazon.com till the 8th of April, 2023. Hurry! Kindly consider purchasing and perusing it. Also don't forget to post your invaluable reviews at Amazon. Thanks in anticipation. Priyaa

The Baby-doll, a fascinating, surreal story (in the Magical Realism Category) won me the 'Writers' Award Certificate' from Penfactor.com. Do read it in this book!

An excerpt from the short story, 'The Baby-doll'

The owner of the store had asked him whether he was buying it for his grand-daughter and whether he’d have liked it gift-wrapped. Mr. Gonzalves had just said simply “Gift-wrap it please!”

When Mrs. Gonzalves had opened the package and set eyes on the doll, her eyes brimmed with tears. She clasped it against her bosom. Then she wiped her tears and smiled the most beautiful smile that her husband had ever seen. She looked so beautiful.

Their son and daughter-in-law had gone for a movie. Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalves played the songs recorded in the doll, over and over again and childishly sang along and danced to its tunes. They also had an impromptu birthday party for their ‘Baby-doll’. They couldn’t recollect when they had been so happy in their lifetime.

Ronnie and Margaret too loved the doll at first sight. Somehow that ‘Baby-doll’ as Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalves had christened it, cheered all of them up. The ‘Baby-doll’ kept singing all her songs again and again, day in and day out. But none of them tired of the routine. And then a miracle happened.

End of Excerpt

Intrigued? Can't wait to find out what happens next? Hurry! Purchase the e-book and enjoy your delightful reading session....