A Day in the Life of Jaya Jones by Gigi Pandian

Mar 14, 2015 | A Day In My Life

QuicksandI don’t usually rob museums. Really, I don’t. Especially not the Louvre. Yet here I am in Paris, wearing a disguise and waiting for the signal.

Perhaps I should back up.

I’m Dr. Jaya Jones, a professor of history in San Francisco. I specialize in India’s colonial history, so I’ve gotten roped into a couple of treasure hunts for lost Indian treasures. But I’ve always been on the right side of the law. I’ve always handed the treasures I’ve found to the proper authorities.

Until now.

How did I get here? It’s the start of spring semester and I’m supposed to be teaching three history courses to undergrads by day, and playing sets of tabla music at the Tandoori Palace by night, with my best friend Sanjay accompanying me on the sitar. Sanjay is probably world’s worst sitar player, but it doesn’t really matter, since we just play for fun. And besides, Raj and I lower the volume on his microphone. Sanjay’s day job is a magician, and that’s where he excels. Maybe you’ve heard of him by his stage name, The Hindi Houdini.

Right now, I should be asleep in my bed after a long day of teaching and a coffee/gossip break with librarian Tamarind Ortega. The only drama in my life should be vivid dreams caused by extra-spicy dinners eaten in between sets of music at the restaurant. I’m not supposed to be on the other side of the world enabling a theft at the world’s most famous museum.

No, I haven’t lost my mind and gone over to the dark side. There’s a very good reason I’m aiding and abetting the theft of a teeny tiny item. . .

I only hope I’m right.

My heart is racing, but if I’m honest with myself, this is the most alive I’ve felt in years. Traveling across France from Paris to the wondrous Les Machines de l’île in Nantes to the ancient fortress of Mont Saint-Michel, with the man I’m falling for at my side, I know that anything is possible.

With the help of ex-thief Lane Peters and Sanjay’s 90-year-old magician friend Sebastien, I’m going to set this right.

You can read more about Jaya in Quicksand, the 3rd book in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series, published by Henery Press. The first book in the series is Artifact (winner of the Malice Domestic Grant); the second book in the series is Pirate Vishnu (currently nominated for the Rose Award at Left Coast Crime).

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on March 20 for the chance to win a copy of Quicksand. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.

About the author
Gigi Pandian is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series (Artifact, Pirate Vishnu, and Quicksand and the new Accidental Alchemist mysteries (The Accidental Alchemist). Gigi’s debut mystery novel was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant and named a “Best of 2012” debut mystery by Suspense Magazine, and her short fiction has been short-listed for Agatha and Macavity awards. Gigi spent her childhood being dragged around the world by her cultural anthropologist parents, and now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gigi is the 2015 winner of the “Rose Award” for best mystery novel set in the Left Coast Crime region.

Sign up for Gigi’s newsletter here, connect with her on Facebook, and Twitter, and check out her gargoyle photography on the Gargoyle Girl Blog.

63 Comments

  1. Dina stout
    Dina stout on March 14, 2015 at 1:03 am

    I love treasure hunt books! 🙂

  2. bookwoman
    bookwoman on March 14, 2015 at 1:06 am

    Loved the first one. Looking foreword to this new one.

    • Gigi Pandian
      Gigi Pandian on March 14, 2015 at 9:46 am

      Happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙂

  3. MaryAnn Forbes
    MaryAnn Forbes on March 14, 2015 at 1:07 am

    Would love to win Quicksand; thanks for the opportunity.

  4. Robin Coxon
    Robin Coxon on March 14, 2015 at 1:24 am

    I would love a copy of this book. I’m hoping I’ll sink into it and not be able to put it down.

  5. MaryB
    MaryB on March 14, 2015 at 1:25 am

    This sounds like a really good series. It’s one I was not familiar with so I am looking forward to reading the first of the series. Thanks for the chance to win.

  6. Barbara Hawk
    Barbara Hawk on March 14, 2015 at 1:30 am

    Sounds great! A new author to me. Will be checking out the first books. Thanks for the chance!

  7. Karen Terry
    Karen Terry on March 14, 2015 at 1:56 am

    I love international suspense thrillers. You will can go on a thrilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

    • Gigi Pandian
      Gigi Pandian on March 14, 2015 at 11:29 am

      Have you read Elizabeth Peters’ Vicky Bliss novels? Those adventure mysteries are such fun, and inspired this series.

  8. sallycootie
    sallycootie on March 14, 2015 at 4:04 am

    Have been waiting to read this one. Thanks.

  9. Gram
    Gram on March 14, 2015 at 6:37 am

    That left me wanting more…

  10. Cheryl Noem
    Cheryl Noem on March 14, 2015 at 7:01 am

    This book sounds really good. I would love to read it.

  11. Jess dimovski
    Jess dimovski on March 14, 2015 at 7:02 am

    I love Jaya Jones! She is one of my favorite characters!

    • Gigi Pandian
      Gigi Pandian on March 14, 2015 at 9:47 am

      You’re making me smile this morning, Jess 🙂

  12. Valeria M. Hoffman
    Valeria M. Hoffman on March 14, 2015 at 7:26 am

    Wish my library would order this author’s books.

    • Gigi Pandian
      Gigi Pandian on March 14, 2015 at 9:42 am

      Thanks for your interest in the books, Valeria. I’ve heard from readers who’ve requested the book at their local library and had the libraries order all of them, so you might give that a shot.

  13. Dawn Frazier
    Dawn Frazier on March 14, 2015 at 7:52 am

    Would love to read this!

  14. Sheila K.
    Sheila K. on March 14, 2015 at 8:03 am

    Sounds like a good read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  15. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on March 14, 2015 at 8:15 am

    Series sounds great, thank you for the chance

  16. Lisa Cobb Sabatini
    Lisa Cobb Sabatini on March 14, 2015 at 8:24 am

    What a unique protagonist! What a unique premise! Of course, I’m salivating for my favorite cuisine; northern or southern, there’s nothing like Indian cuisine. But I digest – oops! Digress! Seriously, this series sounds fabulous!

    • Gigi Pandian
      Gigi Pandian on March 14, 2015 at 11:32 am

      Lisa, your comment made me smile even before I’ve had enough coffee 🙂

  17. Jane R
    Jane R on March 14, 2015 at 8:37 am

    This author (and her books) have been on my reading list forever and a day. Your post has certainly encouraged me to get off dead center and start reading! Thanks!

  18. Debbie Carnes
    Debbie Carnes on March 14, 2015 at 8:47 am

    Would love to read this, sounds great

  20. Betty
    Betty on March 14, 2015 at 9:43 am

    This book sounds terrific~embarking on a grand adventure! The travel sounds lovely! Thank you for the great review and contest!

  21. Gigi Pandian
    Gigi Pandian on March 14, 2015 at 9:45 am

    Thanks for hosting me today! I’m at mystery convention Left Coast Crime right now, and I’m heading to a presentation shortly, so I’ll pop back in a few hours from now — thanks for the lovely comments, all 🙂

    I also wanted to let you all know that Henery Press is offering the eBook of the previous book in the series, PIRATE VISHNU, for only 99¢ through Sunday, March 15: http://gigipandian.com/pirate-vishnu/

  23. marylouh
    marylouh on March 14, 2015 at 10:03 am

    sounds different and interesting. thanks.

  25. Amy Gill
    Amy Gill on March 14, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Sounds very interesting.

  26. Mary Jane Hopper
    Mary Jane Hopper on March 14, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Sounds intriguing!

  27. ellie
    ellie on March 14, 2015 at 11:13 am

    A captivating and fascinating giveaway and feature.

  28. Diane Vallere
    Diane Vallere on March 14, 2015 at 11:41 am

    Congratulations, Gigi! Glad to have Jaya back in a new adventure!

  29. Ruth Nixon@sbcglobal.net
    Ruth Nixon@sbcglobal.net on March 14, 2015 at 11:55 am

    Enjoyed first 2 books in this series and would like to add this one. I live not to far from where Gigi lives and hope to met her someday..

    • Gigi Pandian
      Gigi Pandian on March 14, 2015 at 8:03 pm

      Ruth, I’ll be doing some joint events in the Bay Area this summer, so I hope you can make it to one! The one that’s scheduled already is a Sisters in Crime meeting Saturday June 11 at Orinda Books from noon – 2pm. I’ll be updating the events page of my website (http://gigipandian.com/news-events/) as events firm up.

  30. Alisha Trenalone
    Alisha Trenalone on March 14, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    I’ve quite enjoyed the first two and the third is definitely in my list!

  31. teabird
    teabird on March 14, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    yes! please enter me in the contest!

  32. Ann
    Ann on March 14, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    What great series idea!

  33. Libby Dodd
    Libby Dodd on March 14, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Her books are a total delight!

  34. judy grogan
    judy grogan on March 14, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    I would love to win; Thanks for the chance. I’ve always been fascinated by history and India.

  35. Linda MH
    Linda MH on March 14, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    I bought, read, and thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series. Looking forward to reading Quicksand. Jaya is a great protagonist. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy. Even if I don’t win, I will be purchasing this book to add to my collection.

  36. mary robinson
    mary robinson on March 14, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    Would love to win a copy of this book. New series and author to explore. Thank you!

  37. Verna Gass
    Verna Gass on March 14, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win. Fingers crossed!

  38. Cynthia E. Blain
    Cynthia E. Blain on March 14, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    I am really looking forward to reading and reviewing this book as Mont St. Michele is part of this book’s storyline and we spent some wonderful days there awhile back We traveled all over France and Belgium and Mont St. Michele was definitely one of the highlights of that trip. We stayed in a small hotel (aren’t they all) on the Mont and had the famous monk made Omeletts the next morning as one of our fondest memories. I have read the first book in this series and loved it, and I am really looking forward to catching up but I do know that I just have to read this one. Winning would be a real delight.

    Sincerely,
    Cynthia B

  39. holdenj
    holdenj on March 14, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    I think Jaya sounds like such a great character, with such an interesting job too! Thanks for the chance to win!

  40. Rhonda
    Rhonda on March 14, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    A treaure hunt sounds wonderful.

  41. Gigi Pandian
    Gigi Pandian on March 14, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    Thank you all for the interest in the new book! I need to pop offline now to get ready for the Left Coast Crime banquet tonight, but this was such a treat to join you on Dru’s Book Musings today.

  42. Ellen Byron
    Ellen Byron on March 14, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    I love traveling the world with the fabulous Jaya Jones!

  43. cyn209
    cyn209 on March 14, 2015 at 11:58 pm

    Love the covers in this series…
    I need to start reading it!!

  44. ladyjanel
    ladyjanel on March 15, 2015 at 6:50 am

    Sounds interesting.

  45. Rachel Mustain
    Rachel Mustain on March 15, 2015 at 7:27 am

    This series is amazing. I love Jaya and her friends, especially Lane. I highly recommend this series and would love to win a copy of Quicksand.

  46. Kaye Killgore
    Kaye Killgore on March 15, 2015 at 11:10 am

    Congratulations Gigi for winning the Rose Award at Left Coast Crime.

    • Gigi Pandian
      Gigi Pandian on March 15, 2015 at 9:48 pm

      Thank you, Kaye. Winning the award last night was an unexpected and wonderful surprise!

  47. Claudia
    Claudia on March 15, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    I love this series, and the latest installment does not disappoint.

  48. Anita Miles
    Anita Miles on March 15, 2015 at 3:33 pm

    Sounds great

  49. conniepsaunders
    conniepsaunders on March 15, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    Jays sounds like a very interesting character. Thank you for this giveaway

  50. ktbeeblog
    ktbeeblog on March 16, 2015 at 8:07 am

    I’m thinking that art thief would be a really grand job if I’d only gotten the training 30+ years back. Now I can read about being one still. I hope I get that chance! (To read, not steal!)

  51. rochf
    rochf on March 16, 2015 at 9:41 am

    Sounds like a great series to add to my list.

  52. Anita Yancey
    Anita Yancey on March 16, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    It sounds like an amazing book. I love the setting for it. Thanks for having the giveaway.

  53. Chrystle Fiedler
    Chrystle Fiedler on March 16, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    This series sounds really interesting — thanks for bringing it to my attention Dru!

  54. Marilyn Watson
    Marilyn Watson on March 18, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    Sounds like fun…if we were casting Audrey Hepburn should play the part in fact she did do a movie…love the plot.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

  55. jagjhd
    jagjhd on March 19, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Really enjoy Gigi’s writing style and settings.

  56. Dru
    Dru on March 20, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Thanks Gigi for interacting and commenting with my readers.

    Contest is closed.