Ghosts of the Past - Kindle Countdown Deal

                                                    

Dear friends,

                         I am pleased to announce that my 16th book has just been published at www.amazon.com and all its other marketplaces. It is titled Ghosts of the Past. It is my entry to the Pen to Publish contest at Amazon K.D.P this year. 

                         A Kindle Countdown Deal will be on from 19th to 26th March, 2021 at www.amazon.com for this e-book. It will be available for just $0.99 at a whopping discount of 67%.

                         Do purchase it, read it and let me have your invaluable online feedback at the Amazon website at the earliest. You could preview it for free at www.amazon.com. Let me know whether you like the book's cover also.

                        Hope you peruse my other 15 books at that website too!

                        Looking forward to a lively interaction here, in the comments section!

                        Thanks in anticipation.

                        Priya

Excerpt from this book:

               “Please get out,” Sampanna had expostulated bluntly and that red-faced gentleman had turned around and wordlessly walked off, never to return again. Of course, he never again spoke with Sampanna, except for official work! But again, word had got around that the snooty Sampanna lived in such a supremely inhabitable abode, whereas he ordered the sub-staff in the office to maintain utmost cleanliness and punished them if they didn’t obey his orders! He was proved to be a hypocrite!

               Now, as Sampanna, balding and pot-bellied, sat in his stuffy living-room, surrounded by piles of trash; months-old magazines, newspapers, dusty show pieces and footwear, grimy sofa set and black cobwebs hanging from all corners of the ceiling, he felt a void in his life.

                                                                      End of excerpt

          Did you like the excerpt? Kindly purchase the book and read on ...   Happy reading!

Ghosts of the Past - My 16th book published at Amazon!

 

Dear friends,

                         I am pleased to announce that my 16th book has just been published at www.amazon.com and all its other marketplaces. It is titled Ghosts of the Past. It is my entry to the Pen to Publish contest at Amazon K.D.P this year.

                         Do read it and let me have your invaluable feedback at the earliest. You could preview it for free at www.amazon.com. Let me know whether you like the book's cover also.

                        Hope you peruse my other 15 books at that website too!

                        Looking forward to a lively interaction here, in the comments section!

                        Thanks in anticipation.

                        Priya

Excerpt from this book:

               “Please get out,” Sampanna had expostulated bluntly and that red-faced gentleman had turned around and wordlessly walked off, never to return again. Of course, he never again spoke with Sampanna, except for official work! But again, word had got around that the snooty Sampanna lived in such a supremely inhabitable abode, whereas he ordered the sub-staff in the office to maintain utmost cleanliness and punished them if they didn’t obey his orders! He was proved to be a hypocrite!

               Now, as Sampanna, balding and pot-bellied, sat in his stuffy living-room, surrounded by piles of trash; months-old magazines, newspapers, dusty show pieces and footwear, grimy sofa set and black cobwebs hanging from all corners of the ceiling, he felt a void in his life.

                                                                      End of excerpt

          Did you like the excerpt? Kindly purchase the book and read on ...   Happy reading!

Kindle Countdown Deal - God's Will

 Dear friends,

          For the God-fearing people in this world, nothing in life occurs without His Will!

         

          They lead their lives with a song on their lips and a prayer in their hearts. They are hard-working folks of the soil who swear by their sweat and toil.

           Babu and Rojakutty are two such simpletons who lead a solitary existence in their village, till their paths cross.

          

           Will their destinies entwine or unravel?

          

          Read on to find out, in my engrossing novel titled God's Will - (All the way...)

          This novel is available at www.amazon.com under a Kindle Countdown Deal from 4th to 11th February, 2021, at a whopping discount of 67%; for just $0.99.

         Kindly peruse it and let me have your invaluable feedback. You could even have a free preview at the site.

 

         While you are it, you could even peruse my other 14 books at www.amazon.com.

 Thanks, 

Priya 

          Excerpt from this book

          “Roja, Roja palli” she heard a familiar voice behind her.

          

          She whirled around and King Dushyant was standing face to face with her. He winked at her. She laughed at the weird sight. His face painted in bright green with the white and red winged eyebrows and red nose, stiff white ceramic covering the lower chin with a heavy, studded crown on his head, stared back at her; with his dark eyes merrily smiling down at her.

          

          His billowing, tent-like, regal costume swathed his body in layers of clothing. A heavy perfume of kewda assailed her nostrils as he came closer. She involuntarily stepped back,

 befuddled. How did he know the nickname that Babu had given her? Was he his friend? How dare that scoundrel address her like that in public? Even wink at her?

          

          Just as she got ready for a slanging match, it struck her. She slapped her forehead and exclaimed “Babu?”

          

          He bowed down deeply and said in an exaggerated tone, “Naane daan. It’s me!”

          

          Now she spoke with awe and reverence. “Wow, Babu! You really got me there. I never knew that you are a part-time Kathakali performer. You never revealed it to me. I must say, that you are an excellent performer. Your thick, handlebar moustache really becomes you. King Dushyant indeed!”

          

          Babu was elated and his face creased into his familiar grin, showing sparkling white teeth through his bright red painted lips.

          

          His grin expanded further and nearly reached his ears as she added further, “And your reference to the fish in the story was also not lost on me! You deliberately chose this play as I like fish, don’t you?” She sounded pleased as punch. Now her fangs were bared in undisguised glee, reveling in the fact that Babu truly cared for her and wanted to please her, going the extra mile for her!

          

          He also inhaled the heady fragrance of Emami as he walked with her, all the way back home, walking with his right hand dragging his cycle by its handle, and the left one, possessively around her broad shoulders. Everyone on the same path curiously stared at the couple as Babu was still in his full costume and make-up.

          

          “Raja Dushyant and Rani Shakuntala!” exclaimed some enthusiastic passers-by. The couple giggled. They really felt like the royal couple and basked in the reflected glory.

          

          The next day they would go back to catching fish and bringing down coconuts for a living…. Mundane reality.

                    End of the excerpt

Adalaj Step-well - Steeped in History and Tragedy!

     

     We visited this fascinating vav (Step-well) as part of our City Tour in Ahmedabad. After paying a small entry free, we entered its hallowed precincts, with our indefatigable lady guide. She pointed out its interesting facets like intricate carvings, Indo-Islamic architecture, tragic history and its relevance.

     She kept leading us down the solid, grey, sandstone steps, with flat platforms at each level, flanked by beautiful columns and meticulously carved niches, weaving her way through selfie-taking tourists; till we reached the third level from where we aren't allowed down any further! A shaky wooden fence stands there. An eyesore undoubtedly! There is water still visible at the bottom of the well. It is supposedly still potable.

     The guide started narrating the heartrending, tragic tale of the step-well. Rani Roopba had started constructing the step-well to honor her husband Rana Veersingh (who was later defeated and killed by the Muslim ruler, Mohammed Begada in battle). The Muslim ruler then proposed to the Rani who laid down the precondition that she would marry him if he completed construction of the step-well. He tried to complete it hastily and again proposed to her. The Rani refused, saying that it was incomplete!

     The guide pointed out how the last two levels of this step-well are bare, cemented, whitewashed and devoid of any ornamentation in the form of sculptures/carvings!

     This shoddy work carried out by the Muslim ruler anguished the Rani so much that she committed suicide by jumping into the same 'unfinished' vav, her labor of love! Obviously, the Rani had wanted to keep her honor intact!

     We felt really sorry for that Queen and silently prayed that her soul should rest in eternal peace. We also inwardly thanked her for this breathtaking piece of architecture!

     Aged people should avoid venturing down the step-well if they suffer from arthritis, spondylitis, blood pressure or vertigo. Children should be under strict supervision to avoid nasty falls.

     We would have loved to spend some more time there.

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

This review has also been published on www.tripadvisor.in.

Online Spoken English Course - Priya's Vision Academy, Pune

 Online Course: Conducted by Priya's Vision Academy, Pune

Spoken English, basic Grammar and reading skills. (Basic English)

Age group: Anyone can enroll.

Duration: 2 months

Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Timings: 7 to 8 p.m.

Fees: Rs. 3000/- 

Batch size (minimum number of participants) - 5 and above

The fees should be paid one day beforehand, through NEFT. On confirmation of receipt, the course will commence.

Notes and exercises will be given for basic Grammar.

A hard copy of the certificate (for Basic English) will be given on successful completion of the course.

Please contact: Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

Contact number: 9850019553

Hurry! What are you waiting for? Enroll and learn to speak fluent English. 

A bright future awaits you!

Welcome to our family.

Priya's Vision Academy - Makes your life blossom.

Of Siblings and E-friends - Kindle Countdown Deal

 

Dear friends,

Wish you all a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2021 filled with laughter and gaiety, health, peace and contentment! May all your worries and tensions be a thing of the past!

 Here's some good news to cheer you up ...

A Kindle Countdown Deal will be on from 3rd to 10th January, 2021 at www.amazon.com for my e-book titled Of Siblings and E-friends.
This e-book will be available for just  $0.99 at a whopping discount of 67%

So hurry and grab this golden opportunity to read a wonderful collection of stories that will set you thinking about relationships between siblings and e-friends.

Is blood really thicker than water or should we swear only by our friends? More importantly, how do e-friends figure in the larger picture? Are they trustworthy or to be feared?

Read on and arrive at your own conclusions, but do let me know, through your reviews, directly at www.amazon.com.

While you are at it, do consider reading my other 17 books too.

Thanks in anticipation.
Happy reading!
Priya

 

Excerpt from the story Triumph - At what cost?

(A story in this unusual collection of stories - 

Of Siblings and E-friends)

     

     “Abhijeet, your brother is getting on my nerves these days. He keeps hounding me and faking his affections for me. I am tolerating his behavior just because he is your brother. But it is high time you put him in his place. And drag him out of his dream world."

      

     “Sneha, I can understand your plight. My sympathy is with you. But look at the positive side of this situation. You have transformed Gaurav. He speaks politely and even checks his swear words before they escape from his mouth. He dresses up immaculately and has even mastered the art of making small talk. Thanks to you! It is rightly said that “Behind every successful man, there is a lady!” What my parents and I couldn’t achieve in 20 years, you’ve achieved just in 2 months. Bravo,” Abhijeet said with a laugh, as Sneha balled her fist and aimed a punch on his nose. He ducked just at the right moment and caught her tiny clenched fist. 

     “You are incorrigible!”

     

     “And you’re a sweetheart. Correction, My Sweetheart, besides, what’s the harm if you lead him on, if that makes him a better person?”

    

     “Abhijeet, how can you be so obtuse? If this state of affairs continues, I’m sure that it’ll cause heart-break, probably, for all of us. What if I succumb to his charms one day in the future?” she teased. 

     Suddenly Abhijeet became dead serious. “Promise me that you are only mine,” he sounded very anxious and earnest. For the first time, he appeared uncertain and confused. 

     “Of course, I am. But the ball is in your court now. If you don’t resolve this issue within a week, I’ll have to be frank and confront him with the truth. Things could take a nasty turn then. Don’t say then, that I didn’t warn you!” 

     She left Abhijeet in an uncharacteristically pensive mood that day.

End of Excerpt

Neha's Quest - Just less than 12 hours left for the Win-Win review contest to end!

 D-Day is here. 31st December, 2020. The last day of the Win-win Review Contest - Neha's Quest.

Neha's Quest - Win-Win Review Contest! 

Kindly purchase a copy (e-book or paperback) at www.amazon.com or any of it s marketplaces, read it, review it and send it to me. For more details look up the earlier blog here.

Hurry! Participate in this exciting contest and embark on your journey towards becoming a

professional writer in the coming new year! All the best! Get set, go!

Last day for entries - 31 st December, 2020 (till the clock strikes 12... midnight!)     TODAY!!!

Do make 2020 count! 

And get a 50 % discount for the story-writing classes held by Priya's Vision Academy! (for winners!)