Former Southbury Resident Debuts First Novel

Former Southbury resident Anju Gattani's first novel, "Duty And Desire: A Novel Of Modern India," will hit the shelves on Thursday, December 1.

Gattani is a serious traveler. She was born in India but grew up in Hong Kong. She said her Indian upbringing and British education are strong influences on her writing.

Gattani has lived in India, Singapore, Australia, New Jersey and Connecticut. She now makes her home in Atlanta, Ga., with her husband and two boys.

The main character in "Duty and Desire," the debut novel in the Winds of Fire series, is Sheetal Prasad.

"Sheetal Prasad has it all: youth, beauty, wealth and education," according to the novel synopsis on Gattani's website. "But when this modern, Indian woman surrenders love for honor and marries into India’s titanic ‘royal family,' these very advantages turn against her and she is stripped of her freedom. Meet the Dhanraj’s—a powerful family bound together by a web of lies where infidelity, greed, secrets and hidden identities lurk beneath the lush tapestry. The Dhanraj’s have plenty to hide and will do what it takes to mask the truth from the world. As Sheetal peels back the layers of deceit, she confronts a haunting reality and is threatened by the blazes of passion she ignited."

Gattani's fiction explores how the distinct mindsets and traditions of different cultures permanently shape people’s values, thinking, and behavior patterns -- for both good and evil -- despite the leveling effects of 21st century communications and travel.

Her creativity has the unique blend of the east and west which filters through in her passion for words and love of storytelling. 

Gattani challenges every fiction character in their personal pursuit; she finds their answers in her reality.

Gattani's Goals

She hopes her characters will encourage readers to define their happiness and find meaning in their lives.

Gattani's goal is to bridge cultures and break barriers, one book at a time.

The author earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature in India, followed by a teaching degree in the United Kingdom. She studied creative writing in Australia.

With more than 15 years experience as an international freelance journalist, Gattani continues to freelance in fiction, feature and travel.  She also guest blogs and is a full-time fiction author.

Gattani is fluent in English, Hindi and French. A vegetarian, she loves fusion cooking. Her blend of Western-Indian ingredients and cooking styles compliment the zest and synergy in her multicultural books.

Gattani is a guest blogger on Petit Fours and Hot Tamales and The Healthy Writer Blog and a columnist for the multicultural magazine Khabar.

Creativity Runs in the Family

Her dynamic boys are huge Transformers fans. They have several stop-motion videos and trailers on YouTube and are known as "VixterBykr2." Gattani said they hope her creative endeavors will lead them to Michael Bay, Shia LaBoeuf and Steven Spielberg.

The Details of "Duty and Desire"

Trade paperback editions of "Duty And Desire: A Novel Of Modern India," will be distributed worldwide through Ingram for $14.99.

E-Book editions will be distributed through Amazon's Kindle, Barnes and Noble's Nook, Apple, Sony and other e-Book distributors, for $4.99.

The publisher is Greenbrier Book Company. Gattani can be reached at anju@anjugattani.com.