When people first meet me and hear my name, Jaya Anand Jones, they often do a double-take. I was born in India, and my Indian mom named me Jaya (it means victorious) and gave me the middle name Anand (happiness). My last name comes from my American father, who met my mom while he was “finding himself” in Goa in the late 1970s.
I’m a history professor in San Francisco, which makes me Dr. Jones. Yes, I’ve heard all the jokes, especially lately. It’s because of what happened to me this summer. I wound up on a treasure hunt that took me to the Highlands of Scotland to uncover a lost Indian treasure with its secrets hidden in a Scottish legend from the days of the British Raj. My ex-boyfriend had discovered an Indian artifact that he wanted my help researching — but I received word of his “accidental” death in Scotland before I could reach him. It’s a longer story than I can tell you here, but you can read the whole adventure in Artifact.
Now I’m back home in San Francisco, and I’m late to meet my best friend Sanjay. He’s a magician. Perhaps you’ve heard of him. He goes by the stage name The Hindi Houdini. He helped me solve the mystery of the Indian artifact, so it’s the least I can do to preview his latest magic show.
I’m not usually someone who runs late, but I got caught up talking with my landlady, Nadia, who always has entertaining stories to tell about San Francisco in the 1960s or her life in Russia as a young woman. She tried to get me to tell her about the new man in my life, but it’s a bit complicated, so I’d rather not talk about it quite yet.
It’s going to make me even later meeting Sanjay, but I need to stop at my local café to grab a strong coffee and a bagel with scrambled eggs and peanut butter — yum. I went for a run in Golden Gate Park earlier, and now I’m starving. It shouldn’t take too long, unless I happen to run into the neighborhood poet who has been trying to convince me to play my tabla drums as an accompaniment his poetry readings.
I’m still on summer break from teaching classes at my university, but if you know any academics, you know I’m supposed to be using that time to do my own research and writing, not gallivanting across the British Isles in search of an apocryphal treasure on the heels of a killer. I’m about to start my second year teaching history, and if I want to get tenure I need to step up my publishing in academic journals. I love history, especially my specialty of the British East India Company, but lately I can’t seem to find time to focus on my research. Speaking of time, I better get going so I can make it to Sanjay’s magic show!
You can read more about Jaya in Artifact, the first book in the new “Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt” mystery series.
When historian Jaya Jones receives a mysterious package containing a jewel-encrusted artifact from India, sent by her ex-lover the same day he died in a supposed accident in the Highlands of Scotland, she discovers the secrets of a lost Indian treasure may be hidden in a Scottish legend from the days of the British Raj. But she’s not the only one on the trail….
** Thanks to the Gigi, I have one (1) copy of ARTIFACT to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends August 31. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet the Author
Gigi Pandian grew up being dragged around the world by her anthropologist parents. She tried to escape her fate when she left a PhD program for art school, but adventurous academic characters wouldn’t stay out of her head. Thus was born the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series. Her debut mystery, Artifact, was awarded the Malice Domestic Grant. Gigi is a graphic designer in the San Francisco Bay Area. To sign up for Gigi’s newsletter or connect with her on Facebook or Twitter, visit http://gigipandian.com.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I am so excited about ARTIFACT! I love the name Jaya Jones, love that there’s a magician, and love the international intrigue! Please don’t enter me in the contest b/c I already bought this book!
Would-love-to=have-and-read- ARTIFACT.
Sounds-great.
What a fun idea. I’d love to win a copy. Dee
What a wonderful life you have, Jaya! My protagonist, Professor Lauren Rousseau, wonders if you’ve ever run into her. Or perhaps you’ve met Anita Rey – she’s also half-Indian and half-American (http://www.susanoleksiw.com/rey.html). I can’t wait to read Artifact. edithmax at gmail dot com
I’m thrilled this book is coming out! YES, I’d love to win a copy. kayegeorge@gmail.com
I love Professor Jones’s profession and the fact that she has an Indian mother. Would love to jump in and enjoy this mystery.
Jaya was too busy on another adventure to stop by this morning in the comments, so it’s me, Gigi, who’s here now 🙂
Thanks so much for having me today, Dru Ann! And thanks for the interest in the book, Larissa, Cheryl, Deanna, Edith, Kay, and Carol!
This book was so much fun to write. My own history is a bit similar to Jaya’s, though not identical. I wasn’t born in India, but my dad is from there. I didn’t get interested in Indian history until I was an adult, but now I’m having a great time with the research for the books in the series.
Oh I would love to go Find out more about this artifact!
lag110 at mchsi dot com
This sounds like a wonderful series and with that background the details are probably spot on. I’m looking forward to getting into it. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
This book sounds fantastic! I’d LOVE to win! 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity! 🙂
songbird1613(at)yahoo(dot)com
Debut novels are so much fun. Almost like finding a hidden treasure! Academic mysteries are some of my favorite books. I’m looking forward to reading this one!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
I like the idea of some Indian flavor to a mystery. I look forward to reading this.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I had not heard of this book but will now put it on my Wishlist. Very excited that it’s available for my Kindle. Looking forward to many adventures with Jaya Jones.
fla_redhead(at)hotmail (dot) com
Thanks Gigi and Jaya from letting us into your world.
Thanks again for having me, Dru Ann!
And thanks, everyone, for sharing your enthusiasm for checking out the book. Lisa, Carl, Marie, Jane, Sue, and Lori — thanks for commenting!
It is nice to see a new mystery series that is a bit different. Food ones are great, but this sounds like a wonderful new series.
lynettek51(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds like a good series. If I don’t win, I will definitely have to go buy this one.
Here a story for you. When I was traveling alone in Peru in 1998 and going to Machcu Picchu, I met a David Livingstone who was traveling alone too. He was in Rio for a conference and made a side trip for Peru. He was a medical doctor and he heard all the too. (Of course I had to say “Dr, Livingstone, I presume.)
PS, I went to Victoria Falls in 2004 and I have pictures of me standing in front of the Dr. David Livingstone statue that is at the Falls.
lmyost@roadrunner.com
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of her works. A good investment of time and money.
I would love to read this book. Here is my email address
I love a mystery with a little history backlore within the pages. I see book shopping in my future.
I had the privilege of reading Jaya’s adventure prepub, and it was fantastic! I loved hearing from Jaya herself a bit more about her everyday life when she’s not chasing after stolen artifacts or murdered boyfriends. Since I’ve already read it, I’ll pass on the freebie and let another lucky reader enjoy.
Lynette — thanks for the note about wanting to try something new.
Lori — what a great story!
Jean — thanks for the interest in checking out the book.
Sharon — I love reading books with this type of history, which is why I wanted to write one.
And thanks for the kind words, Judy and Nancy 🙂
sounds very interesting!!!
a MUST read for me!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
I’ll be on the lookout for this one. DON’T enter me, please. Blessings!
Contest is closed.
Congratulations Jean S!