Shadows in the Dark - An enigmatic thriller! Kindle Countdown Deal

 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.)

My entry for  the Kindle Storytellers' Contest, U.K., 2021.

Now available for just $0.99 at www.amazon.com. Kindle Countdown Deal from 7th to 14th October, 2021!

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. Needless to say, more the reviews, more my chances of winning! Your support is crucial and most welcome! Thanks in anticipation. 

Priya Ramesh Swaminathan

*****

 A KINDLE COUNTDOWN DEAL WILL BE ON FROM 7TH  TO 14th oCTOBER, 2021 FOR THIS  EBOOK AT www.amazon.com. THIS EBOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR JUST $0.99 AT A WHOPPING DISCOUNT OF 86%

Hurry! Kindly purchase it, peruse it and let me have your invaluable feedback.

You could even peruse my other 19 ebooks. 

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....

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

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PAPERBACK’S LINK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Dark-Priya-Ramesh-Swaminathan/dp/B098GMKPKN/

Paperback

Excerpt

                His father, Dr. Sujoy Mitra, a scientist had often satiated his never-ending queries on birth and death, various human races and their history.

                Books and films had whetted his appetite for knowledge about the origins of human beings, the Homo sapiens as they were described, in those Science journals; and he had delved deeper and deeper into the topic, until he had obtained a Doctorate in Anthropology. Alas, his father had not been around to share his glory, but he knew that he was the person responsible for his inquisitive nature and his Doctorate!

                His mother, Moilee, had given birth to him and left for her heavenly abode immediately. Hence all the recollections that he had of her were confined to the photographs of her, as a young girl and later, as a blushing bride! Often, he had wondered whether she had been reborn thence, and if so, when and where. He’d have loved to meet her! To acquaint her with his work and passion! He was sure that she’d have been immensely proud of him.

                 His gaze strayed automatically to an elderly woman named Kamala, who was toiling under the harsh sun. About 50, her lined face bore the marks of a relentless struggle for existence. 

    END OF EXCERPT

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

 

Free with Kindle Unlimited membership Learn More

Or ₹449 to buy

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.

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

Dear friends,

This novel is my entry for the Kindle Storytellers' Contest, U.K., 2021. More the reviews, more are my chances of winning, so I need all your support and feedback! Do read it and let your reviews also be counted! 

Thanks in anticipation. 

Priya

 

 

October 2 - Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti

Among the several people who have shaped the History of India, Mahatma Gandhi's name and persona stand out as a beacon! He led our freedom-struggle with great aplomb, religiously sticking to his ideals of  non-violence, satyagraha, simplicity and self-discipline.

His erstwhile abode at Sabarmati Ashram reminds us of his painstaking and meticulous journey on the path of truth and liberation. We had visited Ahmedabad in February, 2020. Needless to say, the ashram was the first stop on our itinerary.

We visited the Sabarmati ashram on our own before the city sightseeing tour started at 1.30 p.m. So we spent considerable time in getting the vibe of the place. Peaceful, enchanting and serene; the ashram made us sentimental, as we remembered how that place had played such an important role in our freedom struggle.

The specter of Mahatma Gandhi and his supportive wife Kasturba Gandhi undoubtedly guided us through their abode, as we silently glimpsed their residential quarters, sparse belongings, the famed charkha, tableau of the Salt Satyagraha, framed letters, writings, et al with the backdrop of the concrete waterfront and the tranquil Sabarmati river, glistening in the afternoon sun, with unabashed pride.

We bowed down before the statue of the Mahatma in a sitting pose and were filled with immense respect and love for the great leader and apostle of non-violence, who is a role-model for many!

As the first place on the sight-seeing itinerary was the ashram that we had already experienced, we chose to relax for half an hour in the bus after a round of delicious cookies purchased from a nearby kiosk, selling ice-cream and baked snacks.

By the way, the sightseeing bus starts its journey from the opposite side of the Sabarmati Ashram entrance, near Hotel Toran.

 

Do pay it a visit! 

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

This review was published at www.tripadvisor.in.

At last!

 

                                                 A gift from my beloved husband Ramesh,

                                                 with images of some of my books' covers!

                                                                        Thanks dear! 

                                                      You do make my world go 'round! 

 

                     At Last!

I thought that I would never marry,

I was Just Not Meant for Marriage!

You had your own ideas about marriage,

Surely you didn't say No Mother-in-law, Please!

I prayed that thoughts about you

wouldn't turn into The Obsession,

But it was God's Will

that we marry

and we did! 

At last!

Now you're The Trophy Wife! 

All's well that ends well!

Ha Ha!

                                                       Ramesh

 

Poem penned by Priya Ramesh Swaminathan on the spur of the moment.

World Tourism Day! - Our tours - The journey continues...

      Last year, 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

 

 

                                     All the snaps posted above, have been clicked by me.
    

 You could read detailed reviews of most of these places on this blog, www.sakaaltimes.com as well as at www.tripadvisor.in. 

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!

And yes, we (my husband and I) look forward to the journey as much as the destination, as we get to meet lots of new people, have interesting conversations with them, travel by various modes of transport (especially by train!), taste the local delicacies and enjoy the cuisine, visit museums and shows to get a feel of the past splendor and glory of that place! Even our scary experiences serve as juicy anecdotes once we are safely back home.

For me, as a writer, traveling helps me to understand people and their motivations, observe things all around and undoubtedly gain ideas for unique and splendid, slice-of-life stories!

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

I am delighted to inform you that I am in the top 10% of contributors from Pune, to www.tripadvisor.in.

Kindle Countdown Deal - 'Wow! Wrong Number'

 Dear friends,

Don’t we all do that, what we perceive to be right? So do the protagonists of the stories in my e-book titled 'Wow! Wrong Number'.

 

So we have Pratiksha, striving for a catharsis; Shirish masquerading as an imposter; Meena attempting to rehabilitate a destitute; Ilaa trying to prove a point; Mita landing in a hot soup due to her shenanigans; Aruna emerging out of a rut and Sumedha taking the bull by its horns! Do they succeed in their respective missions? How? What happens thereafter? Read on to find out… Decide whether their perceptions were bang on, or way off the mark? Each to his/her own!

A Kindle Countdown Deal will be on from 24th September to 1st October, 2021 for my e-book titled Wow! Wrong Number, at www.amazon.com. This e-book will be available for just  $0.99 at a whopping discount of 67%
Hurry! Kindly peruse it and let me have your invaluable feedback.

You could even peruse my other 19 e-books. 

Thanks. Happy reading! Have a great day ahead!

Priya

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

https://www.amazon.com/Wow-Wrong-number-Never-keeps/dp/1521368481

My Divine Connection with My Favorite Lord Ganesha!

 

The Times of India had published this write-up featuring my collection of Ganesh idols. 
My student had written it.

Some exquisite rangolis made by me with colors/flowers:

This rangoli pattern was copied from a rangoli book.

Taught by me during a craft workshop!

This Ganpati was copied from a photo frame

A design from a greeting card was filled in with make-up colors, turmeric and vermillion; by me.
Best out of waste!

A drawing with my husband Ramesh's name and my name (in Devanagari script) artistically incorporated into a Ganesha's image by a local artist at Saras Baug in Pune. This was gifted to me by my dear friend Jyoti Mulgundkar.

Some wall-hangings and photo-frames from my collection!

A rangoli book designed and published by me, containing my own rangoli creations!

Some of the Ganeshotsav decorations at home:

Goddess Laxmi's puja!

Some paintings made by my father, Sri Ramesh Sharma. Sometimes he would create his own designs, at other times, copy them from elsewhere and recreate the magic.

Lord Ganesha's images created by me on my PC! 

Some exquisite idols from my collection!

I have also been making scrap-books with hundreds of newspaper and magazine cuttings related to Lord Ganesh and Ganeshotsav. It is a work forever in progress...

I have some key-chains too, with varied figures of Lord Ganesh!

Ganpati Bappa Moraya, Mangal Murti Moraya!