Wednesday, September 28, 2016

NBTM + #Giveaway: Ten Days in October by Ashish Malpani @ashishmalpani @GoddessFish



Ten Days in October
by Ashish Malpani
GENRE: Fiction: Crime


BLURB:


'5 a.m. phone call broke Police Inspector Shivaji Chavan’s sleep informing him that local jeweler Anil Kokate, was found hanging from a tree on the banks of Pravara River in a small town of rural India. Although the signs point to an open and shut case of suicide, Chavan suspects foul play. While trying to find the missing pieces of the story he finds more hidden skeletons and comes across astonishing & cruel past of the victim. What begins as a routine investigation quickly turns darker, ruthless and pressing. Can Chavan handle the pressure of his superiors, local media and frightened masses? Can he navigate the system to reach the killer? Can he solve the moral dilemma when he comes face to face with the killer?


Excerpt:

On the first day of Navratri, the Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, Inspector Shivaji Chavan is woken up by a phone call informing him about the public suicide of Anil Kokate. Kokate was found hanging from a tree on the banks of Pravara River. After inspecting the crime scene, Chavan has reason to believe that it may not a suicide case. But little that he knew that this was just the beginning, a routine investigation was about to turn into something that is darker, more deadly and pressing. Trying to navigate through the system, Chavan relies on his own instincts, hoping to find the truth- and a killer who is terrorizing the town.


Guest Post:

I have travelled to over forty countries around the world and still there is a long list of things that I want to experience. I was always a history and nature buff. As a kid I was fascinated with grandeur of pyramids and Abu Simbel, the intricate carvings and paintings of valley of kings and beliefs of ancient Egyptians about life and after life. Even after spending two weeks in  Egypt, I will love to go back there again. The snow clad Andes, sacred valley and Macchu Picchu and dense Amazonian forests ensure Peru a place on my list of top ten places to visit as well. My protagonist in ‘Ten Days in October’, inspector Shivaji Chavan shares the love for exploring new places with me.

The Alhambra in Grenada, Mezquita in Cordoba, the bustling La Ramblas and Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, the colors and flamenco of Seville, the serenity of the Mediterranean Sea and the liveliness of Madrid earns Spain a spot on the list too. Looking at the beautiful La Sagrada Familia, I wondered about the motivation of Gaudi while designing and building the cathedral. I had the same feeling when I visited Sri Lanka. Even after years of civil war the country was very welcoming and the people were happy to get on with their life. The ancient Buddhist capital cities of Anuradhapura and Pollonurwa, intriguing Sigriya and chaotic Colombo put Sri Lanka on my list too. Even in everyday life, I like to put myself in others’ shoes to understand what drives people. That is another trait I believe my protagonist has in common with me.

Mystical and spiritual feel of the Jerusalem air, weightless feeling of the Dead Sea, access to Palestine and the rich history makes me want to visit the city and Israel again. Making everyone who visits the place forget about their daily struggles in search of something more adds Varanasi in India to the list. The Kingdom of Bhutan that measures the happiness rather than GDP is very intriguing indeed. Although I don’t consider myself very spiritual, I do believe that the faith helps you find the peace. My portrait of Madhuri in the novel is a reflection of that belief.

Kecak dance on a backdrop of setting sun in Indian Ocean, embracing waters around Tanah Lot temple and beauty of Bali, the religious harmony in Java and giant dragons of Komodo Island make me want to visit Indonesia again. As a kid, I have witnessed the Hindu-Muslim riots in Sangamner and I definitely think the world can learn a lot from Indonesia when it comes to adapting and respecting each other. My protagonist in the novel does demonstrate restraint and respect even when he has the power that makes others in his position behave with arrogance.

Finally, how can I forget the town I grew up in back in India? In fact the story of ‘Ten Days in October’ is based in Sangamner. Pravra River, the town and the people are dear to my heart and I couldn’t picture any other setting for my story. I am up for visiting Sangamner anytime.



AUTHOR BIO:

Ashish Malpani is an Indian-American freelancer and blogger. Born in Sangamner, a small town in rural India, he spent much of his adult life in Austin, Texas. A technology product marketer by trade, Ashish earned his MSE from Purdue University and MBA from the University of Texas.
 Ashish fell in love with reading and traveling at a young age. As a kid he had two dreams in life: to write a novel and to travel around the world. Thirty eight countries and counting, Ashish has explored various cultures and captured the world through the lens of his camera with his wife Samta and son Ayan.


Buy Links:


Giveaway:

$10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC
 



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4 comments:

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thanks for hosting!

Mai T. said...

Who are your favorite romantic couple and why?

Victoria Alexander said...

Thanks for sharing :)

Mary Preston said...

An interesting bio. 38 countries is impressive.