★★★★★ Beautifully written, taking one to India and bringing the sounds, smells, colors alive. It’s full of twists and surprises. Nothing is predictable or straightforward. ★★★★★ The India collection comprises the three books in the India series and a surprise bonus story. Parvathy’s Well & other stories Six captivating short stories that take you on an Indian Odyssey. From the North to the South, from the rich to the poor, from children to adults, these tales traverse innocence and experience and the innate tragicomedy of life itself. The breathtaking and varied tableau of the Indian subcontinent is just as much a character in the stories as the protagonists themselves. Prepare to be immersed in, and become one with each of the characters, as they offer you a glimpse into a life and a landscape far removed from your own. Prepare to journey into a foreign terrain where heat and dust, passions and secrets, beget unforgettable narratives with themes universal and timeless. Damage & other stories A young boy sidelined for being different, an artist unable to distance herself from her past, a famed actress past her prime, a Casanova who plays women but is acutely aware of his loneliness. These are some amongst the various tales of damaged people seeking escape, fulfilment or acceptance. Some long, some short, these sixteen stories have common themes of unhappy marriages; of secrets and lies, pleasure and guilt; of children letting down parents and vice versa; of women of a certain age, and whether they’ve still ‘got it’; of entitled and misogynistic men; and of the hypocrisy and double standards within Indian society. With original and unexpected angles, these tales explore the darkness that underpins the often ordinary lives of people. Thought-provoking, intense and evocative, these stories will transport you into the heart of India where tradition and modernity collide, often with devastating results. Holi Moly! & other stories 'Holi Moly! & Other Stories' is a collection of tales filled with optimism, laughter, grit and resilience. Stories about everyday people who refuse to let life’s adversities bog them down. From a woman rediscovering herself in unusual circumstances to an older man finding purpose in his twilight years; from four friends holding each other up as they navigate life's hardships, to a young girl determined to rise above her circumstances - these are stories about the indomitable human spirit. Heartwarming, uplifting and bittersweet, the third book in the India series comprises eight stories that explore the more joyful aspects of humanity. Tales that reflect the many facets of a land and a people who, despite their circumstances, find that ultimately, a life well-lived is one that is replete with love and meaning. ★★★★★ A real gem of a book, beautifully written, and full of surprises! It draws you in, with the wonderful scenes, through various lives in India. I didn't want this book of short stories to end, left me wanting more. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This collection of short stories draws you in and deserves your full attention. These stories take you through a labyrinth of damaged and flawed characters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Poornima's latest stories are still vivid with Indian culture, colors and flavors but, after having visited the dark side of humankind, this volume tells universal tales of love, friendship and above all, hope.

Love and hate. Secrets and lies. Innocence and betrayal. Are we all just the sum of our conflicts? A nine-year old girl stumbles upon a terrible secret, a young maidservant is trapped in drudgery, children bear witness to adult transgressions, outcasts of society scramble to find a place for themselves. These are six captivating short stories that take you on an Indian Odyssey. From the North to the South, from the rich to the poor, from children to adults, these tales traverse innocence and experience and the innate tragicomedy of life itself. The breathtaking and varied tableau of the Indian subcontinent is just as much a character in the stories, as the protagonists themselves. Prepare to be immersed in and become one with each of the characters, as they offer you a glimpse into a life and a landscape far removed from your own. Prepare to journey into a foreign terrain where heat and dust, passions and secrets, beget unforgettable narratives with themes universal and timeless.

Are damaged people destined to inflict damage? A young boy sidelined for being different, an artist unable to distance herself from her past, a famed actress past her prime, a Casanova who plays women but is acutely aware of his loneliness. These are some amongst the various tales of damaged people seeking escape, fulfilment or acceptance. Some long, some short, these sixteen stories have common themes of unhappy marriages; of secrets and lies, pleasure and guilt; of children letting down parents and vice versa; of women of a certain age, and whether they’ve still ‘got it’; of entitled and misogynistic men; and of the hypocrisy and double standards within Indian society. With original and unexpected angles, these tales explore the darkness that underpins the often ordinary lives of people. Thought-provoking, intense and evocative, these stories will transport you into the heart of India where tradition and modernity collide, often with devastating results.

Can hope be found amidst despair? 'Holi Moly! & Other Stories' is a collection of tales filled with optimism, laughter, grit and resilience. Stories about everyday people who refuse to let life’s adversities bog them down. From a woman rediscovering herself in unusual circumstances to an older man finding purpose in his twilight years; from four friends holding each other up as they navigate life's hardships, to a young girl determined to rise above her circumstances - these are stories about the indomitable human spirit. Heartwarming, uplifting and bittersweet, the third book in the India series comprises eight stories that explore the more joyful aspects of humanity. Tales that reflect the many facets of a land and a people who, despite their circumstances, find that ultimately, a life well-lived is one that is replete with love and meaning.

Can people splintered by tragedy become whole again? Puja is lost. Her past is filled with pain, her present is scarred by secrets, and her future seems barren and unwelcoming. Unmoored, her only defence against the cruelty of life is retreat and isolation. Until a chance encounter forges an inexplicable bond. A relationship that transcends the barriers of age, class and family. A mentally deficient sweeper woman, teenage friendships, early romances, adult dynamics and unforeseen circumstances weave together a story of love, loss and hope. Can one heal and recover from grief? Can the void left behind by the departure of a beloved ever be filled? Can fractured relationships ever be repaired? As a teenager, wise beyond her years, Puja slowly comes to understand the profound and transformative power of love and sacrifice.

Choices. Life offers us plenty. How do you know you chose correctly? From the streets of West Berlin to the lush tropical climes of Bali, from New Delhi to New York - these stories follow characters faced with choices that could send their lives in different and sometimes opposite directions. A daughter who wants more from life, a father who contemplates ending his; a love lost, a love retained, a love forgotten. Regret, retribution and remorse are liberally sprinkled through this diverse and eclectic collection of short stories. In surprising, vivid and thought-provoking journeys across continents, cultures and landscapes, an indubitable truth emerges - human emotions are essentially the same world over. Savour this collection of tales that range from smooth to dark, nutty to silly, and bitter to sweet. Which story would you like to bite into today? ***** Reader reviews: "Truly like a box of chocolates, something for everyone, lovely short stories. There’s dark, light, salty, and sweet, my favorites being the darker stories! I always enjoy the author’s beautifully descriptive prose, takes me away to far flung locales, exactly what we all need these days!" "As per her usual style each story draws you in from the very first sentence. Each story has a completely different narrator and is written in beautifully rich prose. In this book the stories are set in different countries and even ages. But Poornima took care to enter a little commonality into each story, thus connecting the individual stories. Clearly the theme for this book was ‘a story with a twist’. A joy to read!" ​"This was a very enjoyable book with varied themes, different voices and locations - all from one very talented author. I will be adding more of her books to my reading list and would encourage anyone who is not familiar with her to give her a try."

Journey the globe, one story at a time… In a world where choices shape our destinies, "Twelve" invites you to embark on an exciting journey that spans the globe. From the bustling streets of West Berlin to the lush landscapes of Bali; from the vibrant alleys of New Delhi to the iconic avenues of New York, immerse yourself in a diverse tapestry of narratives that traverse the continents. Lose yourself in the lives of characters standing at crossroads, where pivotal decisions may lead them on vastly different paths. Meanwhile, "Eight" beckons you to a whimsical odyssey across the world, infusing the ordinary with the extraordinary. Here, goddesses walk amongst mortals, mythical creatures materialise unexpectedly, and reality seamlessly melds with the supernatural. Witness the bizarre events that disrupt ordinary lives, opening a portal to a fantastical realm sprinkled with magic and mayhem. And what about love? "Six" paints a vibrant portrait of love's kaleidoscope. It captures the unlikeliest of connections forged among society's outcasts, the glimmer of hope ignited by a serendipitous encounter, the dizzying heights of passion, the profound depths of longing, and the crippling anguish of betrayal. This collection traverses the emotional spectrum, reminding us that love, both fragile and enduring, shapes our lives in countless ways. Finally, a BONUS short story about the twilight years—an exploration of unexpected love and rekindled hope. This tale serves as a poignant reminder to embrace life's late yet beautiful surprises. Step into a world where flavours and fantasies collide, weaving a captivating tapestry of experiences. Indulge in a delectable buffet of stories, where each page offers a mouthwatering morsel of pure storytelling delight. "Twelve," "Eight," "Six," and the BONUS story add up to Twenty-Seven tales that take you on a creative and imaginative spin around the world. Come, enjoy a literary feast that will leave your senses craving for more.

Four friends. Four decades. One devastating betrayal. Twenty years ago, a stunning deception forced the lives of four young girls to spiral in different directions. Four girls who had taken their friendship and their place in the world for granted. Pari, who longed to fit in; Samira, who craved a mother’s love; Roma, who pined for one boy; and Madhu, who strove to overcome her circumstances. Four friends who were inseparable, their lives enmeshed, their fates intertwined. Until a series of cataclysmic events tore them apart. Two decades later, they are face to face again. Can they forgive and move on? Or will one person's secret vendetta destroy them all? Emotionally layered and richly imagined, Intersections raises profound questions about love, loss, forgiveness, and the deeply complex nature of female friendships.

How well do we really know the people closest to us? In the burgeoning city of Gurgaon on the outskirts of Delhi, Radha, a young Indian wife, silently chafes against the suffocating strictures of her orthodox in-laws. Yearning to put her education to use, she feels trapped in the role of a dutiful wife, despite her deep love for her husband, Shyam. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she befriends Mira, her independent and bohemian neighbour. As their bond deepens, the trio—Radha, Shyam, and Mira—navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and betrayal. The choices they make will reverberate through their lives, challenging their beliefs about loyalty, forgiveness, and the true meaning of family. Years later, as the characters’ paths cross again, they must confront their pasts and the consequences of their actions. Set against a backdrop of cultural expectations and personal aspirations, this novel delves into the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of second chances, revealing the profound lessons found within life’s liminal spaces.

What if… anything was possible? What really lurks beneath the humdrum and the mundane, the ubiquitous and the familiar? And what if you came face to face with it? Enter a world where goddesses descend to earth, mythical creatures materialise out of thin air, ghosts mean well, and limbs have minds of their own. In a series of tales that explore the fantastical and the surreal, lives of ordinary people are upturned by bizarre incidents and mysterious happenings. Gloriously imagined, deliciously crafted and wickedly entertaining, Eight takes you on a fabulous romp around multiple countries and cultures of the world, with just a wee bit of something extra in the mix. Sit back, relax and get ready to savour a slice of some delectably fantastical cake! Netgalley reviews: "Delightful light confection that goes around the globe with short fantasy stories. From Argentina to somewhere in the air Hitting Germany, France, Egypt, Korea, China, India in-between. Little quick tastes of a dot of sweet, sour, spicy, hot & cold tidbits to make you smile or think. Most poignant I thought was the German & the rabbit but they were all tasty fare." "One of the reasons I love Gabriel Garcia Marquez is because of the magic realism.These 8 short stories take place in different countries and while dealing with very serious subjects(disability,addiction,loss, loneliness...)each of them has a touch of magic realism that make it very easy to get immersed in them." "This was such a magical book I thoroughly enjoyed every second of reading it. It was well written with such brilliant imagery. A great read." "I’ll be honest straight away and say I have a hate/hate relationship with short stories and all my previous reviews will attest to that. No matter how many I read, I just don’t enjoy them. They’re not for me and never seem to grab me or keep me interested. But I think I’ve finally found the one collection that has shown me what a good short story can be. They’re whimsical and magical and almost fairytale like but steeped in realism with an important life lesson at the end, but by approaching it in this way, they don’t become corny or preachy or over the top."