Category: Land of Magadha

50% OFF Audiobook Extravaganza! 

Limited Time Offer: 50% off Complete trilogy Audiobook! 

With the eyes of their sculpted ancestors following their moves from pillars around the palace, the Malla siblings fight to protect their empire—uncovering treason—battling deadly enemies—guarding secrets—without losing their heart.

This omnibus edition includes all three books in the trilogy: Heir to Malla, War of the Three Kings and Burden of the Crown.

Listen

Heir to Malla is the first book in the epic Land of Magadha trilogy.

In medieval Magadha, a young princess stands alone between the throne and an enemy horde.

Raised in ancient Indian tradition, Princess Meera neither wields a sword nor wears the crown. She is content to let her father and brother manage the affairs of the court. She performs her duties and knows her place.

When her brother disappears in enemy territory, her kingdom is left without an heir. As princes vie for her hand to capture the throne, her only use seems to lie in her ability to give birth to a son to wear the crown.

Afraid for her people’s future and her brother’s life, Meera can no longer accept her traditional role. As she fights to guard her heart and keep her kingdom safe, she struggles to navigate the royal game of chess without becoming a pawn. 

Can she save what she holds most dear, or is her brother’s disappearance a harbinger of worse to come?

This royal Indian saga blazes with adventure and love.

Grab a free audio book

Are you ready for a literary journey to a distant world, a realm of majestic palaces, royal intrigue, and timeless romance? If you’re a fan of historical fiction and audiobooks, you’re in for a treat. For a limited time, you can immerse yourself in the captivating world of medieval India with the FREE audiobook of “Prince in Shadow.”

Injured King. Inexperienced Prince. At sixteen, can Jay overcome his fears to take the mantle of Crown Prince?

Jay was not ready to lead men at home or on a battlefield. When the king suffers a battle injury, Jay takes his place. The young prince finds himself thrust into danger from foes and enemies masquerading as friends. Can he protect himself, let alone his kingdom?

Explore the opulent courts of medieval India, where you can follow the intertwined destinies of royal characters whose lives are shaped by secrets, loyalty, and unexpected love.

A Limited-Time Offer You Can’t Miss:
For a short time, “Prince in Shadow” is available for FREE as an audiobook. This is a rare opportunity to experience the magic of medieval India without any cost. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a fan of historical fiction, or simply someone looking for a captivating story, this promotion is tailor-made for you.

How to Claim Your FREE Audiobook:

  1. Visit Google Play.
  2. Download “Prince in Shadow” and start your enchanting journey.

Share the Joy of Audiobooks:
Spread the word about this limited-time offer with your fellow book lovers, history buffs, and audiobook enthusiasts.


Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to explore medieval India through the captivating world of “Prince in Shadow.” Claim your FREE audiobook today and let the magic of storytelling transport you to a bygone era filled with romance, intrigue, and royal secrets.

Have you ever experienced this fear?

“I am scared of marrying the wrong person”: This is a timeless fear. It is normal for such doubts to crop up when considering such a big decision. Unlikely they will turn out to be a vampire or werewolf, whether you desire or dread such an outcome. My characters have a real reason for such an apprehension.

During medieval times my stories are set at, marrying the wrong man could doom a woman’s life. In a culture where marriages last a lifetime, and a woman’s fate is tied to her husband’s, a cruel husband could physically and mentally assault his wife. And usually, there was no recourse for a woman. So my female protagonists are worried about marriage. How they navigate these challenges is a recurring subject in my books.

In the Land of Magadha trilogy, Princess Meera fears marrying Prince Amar. Her courage and ingenuity save her life, but she pays a steep price for that.

In King in Hiding, Princess Lalitha is offered a rare opportunity to choose her groom. After hearing her parents’ story, Lalitha worries about making a mistake. During the period of this story, there is no marriage counselor or divorce to rectify a wrong decision. She has to self-reflect on what she is looking for in her relationship. But the biggest question is will she trust her instinct? Or will she let that fear hold her back from experiencing love?

Listen to Prince in Shadow

I used some cool AI narration technology to create my audiobook. Parvati, the AI voice I chose, sounded very real. 

In some ways, she is no different than my fictional characters, Meera and Jay. My characters live in medieval India with no technology, and Parvati is a 21st-century invention. Her accent is modern Indian rather than medieval. 

Good news for you, the audiobook is only $0.99.

I would love to hear your feedback after you finish.

It is out

Burden of the Crown 
This novel is a tale of two fathers. One who is acknowledged grieves for his lost son. One who is hidden grieves for what will never be. 

I loved writing these heart-wrenching tales of men and their sons. With hearts as big as the sky, they act propelled by love for their child and the mother.

Here again, is a tale of two different loves. A king married to his land struggles with his duties as a husband. A concealed lover longs for any claims to his beloved.

I hope you savor the conclusion to my trilogy as much as I cherished writing it.
Read Burden of the Crown

Have you preordered my book?

The news you have been waiting for (not really but I am an author living in my dreams) is here. Burden of the Crown is available for preorder.

Be warned. The story starts with heart-wrenching sadness. After I drench you in the rain, I let the clouds part at the end. You, my reader, expect no less than an emotional roller coaster from me. I am here to make the plunge deeper and screams louder.

Meera had no strength left in her to lift her head. She curled up like a child, struggling to breathe.
“My queen,” a voice called, and she raised her head. A deep yearning filled her as she gazed at Rish’s silhouette outside her tent.

PreOrder
Excerpt

Excerpt from Burden of the Crown

You saw him as a sixteen-year-old crown prince in Heir to Malla. In Burden of the Crown, King Jay is a father. The character growth over thirty years was a fascinating story for me to write. Yes, there is heartbreak involved. And hope. And lots of love. I am excited to share an excerpt from this book with you.

Chapter 1 – Jay

Salty air wafted in through the tiny window and touched my skin like a coarse fabric. The sea crashed against the ship, drowning the faint noise of sailors shouting on the deck above me. Picking up a scroll, I noticed the swirls in the honey-colored table revealed by the morning light. I traced the markings on the wood with my finger, marveling at the craftsmanship of Malla carpenters. From outside my door came a thud of footsteps and a knock. I glanced up as my son strode in with my nephew on his heels. My son, Vikram, resembled my younger self, captured in a portrait in Akash. 

“Father, there are beautiful coral reefs around here, and Atul and I want to take a boat to explore,” he said. The waves rocked the vessel gently like I had rocked these boys when they fit in my palm. Vikram swayed on his feet, brimming with energy. He exuded easy confidence that I had not possessed at sixteen. 

Continue reading here.

Happy Mother’s Day

Mothers and mother figures play a prominent role in my Land of Magadha trilogy.

Stepmother

In Heir to Malla, you meet Queen Charu, stepmother of Meera and Jay. Is she an evil queen? Not quite. I featured her in a blog post.

Tears welled in my eyes anyway for the mother I lost, and my stepmother who got her wish to wear the crown but knew no real happiness.

Princess Meera

Grandmother

Grandmothers and the tales they spin can be magical. Meera’s grandmother plants seeds in her mind of what her life will be like as a queen. I wrote about how my grandmother inspired my writing journey.

Even my beloved Padi may not be worthy of my beautiful and brave granddaughter.

Queen Mother Priya

Sister

The wonderful sibling relationship between Meera and Jay features prominently in my trilogy.

“The one our mother taught us?”

“I don’t remember her, let alone her voice. I only remember you singing to me.”

Jay

Aunt

Of course, many aunts act as mother figures in the story.

He cried out for his mother last night. I watched as Aranya comforted him tenderly and calmed his demons.

Jay

A mother’s love is complex, and I enjoyed exploring the different layers of it in my story.

Anger surged in me like a fire that was fed new wood. I needed to protect my child.

Meera

What is your favorite portrayal of mother in fiction?

Cover Reveal

Burden of the Crown

This book concludes the story of Meera and Jay and is a culmination of my eight years writing journey. 

We first meet 19-year-old Meera and her 16-year-old brother, Jay, in Heir to Malla. In the first chapter, our protagonist dreams about marriage and love. The chapter ends with her learning that her brother has gone missing in enemy land. 

What follows is a tale of love, adventure, and royal intrigue set in medieval India. From the gods worshipped to the food served at the feast, the book offers a taste of 9th to 11th century India. I enjoyed writing this coming-of-age story, especially Meera’s. At the start of the book, Meera is a traditional princess, content to let her father and brother manage the affairs of the court. Then things change for the worse, and she is forced to take charge of her destiny.    
 
Meera and Jay return to face the consequences of their actions in War of the Three Kings, set a decade after book one. This book starts with another Meera chapter, showcasing her domestic bliss, with a peek at her heart in conflict, and plunges into chaos with a death of a beloved monarch. I loved the many storylines in this book, some happy, others tragic. One, in particular, tore my heart. My characters are not playing with blunt swords anymore. So the outcomes are unpredictable. 

Burden of the Crown will wrap up Meera and Jay’s tales. This series has been a magical ride for me. Some of the arcs started in book one conclude in this book. It has been an absolute joy writing about this land, where I could let my imagination run wild. I will share an excerpt soon.