ASHES FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD - Award-winning novel


BLURB
To scatter her brother's ashes over the Narmada River, Fabienne leaves France for the mysterious India of her childhood dreams. As she awakens to a newfound spirituality, unexpected visions of a former life during the Raj stir ancient yearnings for a long lost passion. Mukunda, the palace architect Fabienne loved a century and a half ago, lives again as an American engineer and works on the local dam project. As Fabienne falls in love again with India and the man of her destiny, the tapestry of her previous life unfolds. But, in the karmic land of the blue gods, a ruthless foe lies in wait. The Kali worshiper, who murdered the two lovers in a faraway past, has come back through the centuries to thwart their dream once more.

REVIEWS:

"... a broad-stroked, magnificent picture of a lavish India of the past and the present... a vivid tale of suspense... a gripping account of a woman coming to terms with heightened awareness... destiny." --The Book Reader

"... entertaining, fast-paces yet deeply spiritual... Here is a superior metaphysical novel!" --Richard Fuller - Metaphysical Reviews

"... passionate... love, lust, faith and deception... a magnificent offering to the world of fiction..." --The Charlotte Austin Review

"...rich, sensual... multilayered... a thriller... magical, mystical book..." --Writer's Digest

"...a striking and highly recommended metaphysical novel..." --Midwest Book Review

EXCERPT:
 
The young man sitting cross-legged on the courtyard dais, next to my Guru, at a place reserved for high-ranking visitors, looked American, German or Nordic. Tall, blond, blue eyed, in a tan safari shirt and western slacks, he talked with natural ease, smiling and laughing at Baba's stories. With the gathering crowd, I took my place in the second row, on the tile of the courtyard below, behind the Bhramacharyas in yellow robes. Amazed, I realized the striking man spoke Hindi.

After a look at the clock, Baba interrupted his chat, cleared his throat, switched on the microphone, then tapped it and laughed at the sound, marveling as he always did at the wonders of modern electronics.

"Sadgurunath, Maharaj Ki Jay!" The devotees intoned in respectful greeting.

"I am delighted to introduce our guest." Baba smiled and turned toward the blond man. "His name is Mukunda, and he's looking for a bride."

Startled by the name, I stared while the ashramites laughed. The young man blushed fiercely, obviously taken aback by this unexpected introduction. He looked at the ground, gave an embarrassed laugh, then raised his head and faced the crowd for the first time. I caught my breath, lost in his clear blue eyes. My heart stopped. Mukunda's frank stare riveted me to the ground. Overwhelming sensations flooded my senses. As he brushed long fingers through his hair, probably to hide remnants of embarrassment, I recognized the familiar gesture from a vision. Then Mukunda smiled, and the world around me reeled.

I grinned back. From a warm jungle pool, the frolicsome youth of my visions smiled at me over a lifetime, and I could feel that he recognized me too. I wanted to call him, touch him. I wanted to feel his embrace. We belonged to each other...

"Of course, this is not the whole reason for Mukunda's visit." Baba's voice brought me back to reality.

Suddenly, I remembered where I was, who I was, and my recent commitment to the spiritual path. In the greater scheme of things, Mukunda must represent the supreme temptation, the ultimate sacrifice for me to make, the one thing to renounce. In order to become a nun, as I should, I had to overcome my irresistible attraction to this man, let go of the past, and free myself from earthly bondage.

FIND THIS BOOK ON AMAZON
kindle version $2.99  HERE
Trade Paperback (different cover) $17.99 HERE
Used paperback copies widely available.

Vijaya Schartz
Romance in exotic settings.
My books on Amazon:

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