Teaser Tuesday: The Glass Thief by Gigi Pandian

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Seven years ago, Coronado disappeared for six weeks. Afterwards, he'd sequestered himself in his home in upstate New York, leaving only to go walking a dog almost as big as himself. The mystery of what had caused him to hide away and reject the writing that had been his lifeblood was greater than anything he'd written into his adventure novels.

Nobody knew what had happened to Rick Coronado when he disappeared.

(18% through on my Kindle)

The Glass Thief by Gigi Pandian is the sixth book in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series. It was published November 12th, 2019 by Henery Press.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Glass Thief by Gigi Pandian

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The remnants of history that have survived might not be dramatic in and of themselves, but the stories they tell when assembled can be miraculous. People who lived long before us had similar hopes and dreams, and their messages could reach us across the centuries and continents. In a world that can feel simultaneously connected and divided, history can show us our common humanity through the ages. (location 296 on my Kindle)

The teaser might seem a little dry, but it's true and I guarantee things pick up. 

The Glass Thief by Gigi Pandian is the sixth book in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series. It was published November 12th, 2019 by Henery Press.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian

The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed The Ninja's Illusion. As with her other Jaya Jones mysteries, Gigi Pandian makes the country the characters are visiting, its culture and pertinent history accessible and interesting.

There are 2 different mysteries at play. One involves the magicians; the other involves history. Each mystery is captivating in its own way. The mysteries begin even before Jaya has left the States for Japan. I found myself caught up in the book. There were a few lulls, but overall there is more action than not. Even during the lulls, the plot is moving forward, which is as it should be.

The characters are interesting and likable. And there is a good variety of characters. The story about the kitsune who has become a magician's assistant brings an exotic flavor to the plot. I liked that it was up in the air for much of the book as to just how much of a mischevious spirit fox she really was.

Overall, it's a well-written mystery made even better by Pandian's treatment of the location and culture. The history that is blended in makes the reading a richer experience. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.



View all my reviews

Teaser Tuesday: The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

The phone was still clasped in my hand. I willed Sanjay to call me back. What had he seen over his shoulder? (3% through on my Kindle)

The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian is expected to be released October 3, 2017 from Henery Press. I've been reading the ARC and really enjoying it. 

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #191: The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

This week I'm waiting on the 5th installment in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries, The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian. It's due to be released October 3, 2017 by Henery Press.

Publisher's synopsis:

A fabled illusion performed by a stage magician who claims to possess real supernatural powers. A treasure from the colonial era in India when international supremacies vied for power. A phantom trading ship lost over 200 years ago. And a ninja whose murderous intentions in present-day Japan connect the deeds of a long-dead trader who was much more than he seemed…

When Jaya travels from San Francisco to Japan with her stage magician best friend Sanjay—a.k.a. The Hindi Houdini—for his Japanese debut, she jumps at the chance to pursue her own research that could solve a tantalizing centuries-old mystery. 

With the colorful autumn leaves of historic Kyoto falling around her, Jaya soon loses sight of what’s real and what’s a deception. A mysterious ninja attempts sabotage on Sanjay’s trick, along with Japan’s most controversial magician, Akira. Ancient folklore blurs the lines between illusion and reality when a magician’s assistant appears to be a kitsune, a mythical fox spirit. As tricks escalate to murder, Jaya and her friends must unravel secrets hidden in the ancient capital of Japan, before one of their own becomes the next victim.

Why am I waiting on this one? The Jaya Jones mysteries just get better and better with each addition to the series. I enjoy reading about Jaya's exploits, some of which are Indiana Jones-ish. This book looks like it has a good blend of folklore and history along with action. And it's from Henery Press. They have a good line of mysteries.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Review: Michelangelo's Ghost by Gigi Pandian

Expected publication:
October 4th,  2016 by Henery Press

Jaya is at it again. Not only are members of the general public reaching out to her regarding their treasures, but her former mentor, Lilith Vine, is as well. Lilith believes she has found a connection linking India and Italy art wise in the 16th century through some notebooks she obtained from a family in Italy. And as an added bonus, Lilith thinks there is a link between the artist in question and Michelangelo.

Jaya's interest is immediately captured by Lilith's revelations. Soon afterward, Lilith dies under shady circumstances. Jaya believes her death to be murder. This spurs Jaya on regarding the research necessary to prove Lilith was correct.

Meanwhile, Jaya's brother and his current girlfriend have been in town visiting Jaya. Her brother, Fish, decides that Jaya shouldn't travel to Italy alone. So, the three of them set off for the area of Bomarzo, Italy where the Park of the Monsters seems to hold clues to solving the mystery of just where is the studio of the artist in question. Will any of his works have survived? Just who or what is the ghost wailing in the rain? Who can Jaya trust as she investigates the connections?

Michelangelo's Ghost is a well written adventurous mystery. Jaya shows courage as she pursues her dreams, especially after some of the things that happened in the last installment, Quicksand, Some might argue that she is even a little reckless at times in her enthusiasm.

The plot is well paced and keeps you turning pages. Gigi Pandian does a good job of increasing the suspense the further you get into the book. I also enjoyed the afterward where she talks about the history behind the book and tells which things are pure fiction vs. fact.

Overall, I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. If  you like a suspenseful, adventurous mystery, then you will probably enjoy the Jaya Jones series. The books in the series get better and better. Michelangelo's Ghost is due out October 4, 2016 from Henery Press. This is book #4 in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Teaser Tuesday: Michelangelo's Ghost by Gigi Pandian

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Expected publication:
October 4th 2016 by Henery Press

"You're much shorter than I remember," she continued as she ushered me inside and closed the door behind me. "Your personality is far bigger than your body."

- 4% through on my  Kindle

Someone is referring to the main character Jaya Jones in the quotation. My teaser comes from an ARC of Michelangelo's Ghost by Gigi Pandian. It's due out October 4, 2016 from Henery Press. The quotation might appear differently in the final version. I'm about 40% through the book and enjoying the mystery.

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday - Quicksand by Gigi Pandian

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can participate, just do the following:

• Grab your current read and open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and the author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

Add caption

"Let me save you from the quicksand, Jones. I risked stealing from the  Louvre so that you'd be safe. Please, let me handle this." 
~ Lane speaking to Jaya at 45% through on my Kindle

Quicksand is the 3rd book in the Jaya Jones series put out by Henery Press. It was released March 10, 2015.

Plot synopsis from Goodreads.com:
A thousand-year-old secret room. A sultan’s stolen treasure. A missing French priest. And an invitation to Paris to rekindle an old flame.... 

Historian Jaya Jones finds herself on the wrong side of the law during an art heist at the Louvre. To redeem herself, she follows clues from an illuminated manuscript that lead from the cobblestone streets of Paris to the quicksand-surrounded fortress of Mont Saint-Michel. With the help of enigmatic Lane Peters and a 90-year-old stage magician, Jaya delves into France's colonial past in India to clear her name and catch a killer. 

What's your teaser this week? Please leave it or a link in the comments so we can check it out. Happy reading!

Review: Pirate Vishnu by Gigi Pandian

Pirate Vishnu by Gigi Pandian was released February 11, 2014 by Henery Press. This is the second book in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series.

Treasure hunts seem to find History professor Jaya Jones. This one involves an old treasure map that appears to be of San Francisco's Barbary Coast written in the Indian dialect of Tamil and a familial connection to the mapmaker for Jaya.

The man who brings her the map is brutally murdered. Soon she is on the trail of the treasure. From San Francisco to India, Jaya pieces together the puzzle of this revered treasure while dodging a killer.

The book painted an interesting picture of what India was like back in the day as well as San Francisco just prior to the Great Earthquake. The details about the different cultures were great. My only wish was that some of the parts that were set in the past were longer.

Chapters alternate between past and present. Present day chapters also can't help but have information on culture since Jaya is half Indian and the mystery involves India and her family's past. The present day chapters are also told in her voice. This narration works well.

The mystery itself was handled well for the most part. I found, however, that I wasn't really satisfied with the resolution. I don't want to say more than that because it would be a spoiler.

There is a bit of a love triangle developing in this book, but it is not really a major issue yet. It's introduced and left to brew. It will be interesting to see what happens with it in the next book.

The quality of the writing up until the end was 4 stars, but the ending made me bring it down half a star. So, I gave this book 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.