What makes a marriage-love or compatibility? Passion or pragmatism? Shobhan Bantwal's compelling new novel explores the fascinating subject of arranged marriage, as a young Indian-American woman navigates the gulf between desire and tradition.

To Soorya Giri, arranged marriages have always seemed absurd. But while her career as an environmental lawyer has flourished, Soorya is still a virgin, living with her parents in suburban New Jersey. She wants to be married. And she is finally ready to do the unthinkable…

Soorya's first bridal viewings are as awkward as she anticipated. But then she's introduced to Roger Vadepalli. Self-possessed, intelligent, and charming, Roger is clearly interested in marriage and seems eager to clinch the deal. Attracted to him in spite of her mistrust, Soorya is also drawn into a flirtation with Lou, a widowed colleague who is far from her family's idea of an acceptable husband.

In choosing between two very different men, Soorya must reconcile her burgeoning independence and her conservative background. And she must decide what matters most to her-not just in a husband, but in a family, a culture, and a life…

About the Author

Shobhan Bantwal calls her writing "Bollywood in a Book," romantic, colorful, action-packed tales, rich with elements of Indian culture - stories that entertain and educate. Her writing career is a "menopausal epiphany," because she took up creative writing at the age of 50. By day Shobhan works for the government. In the evenings and on weekends she slips on her writer's cape and flies off to Authorland. She loves writing stories about her native India and Hindu culture. To date, Shobhan has four published novels by Kensington Publishing: 'The Dowry Bride', 'The Forbidden Daughter', 'The Sari Shop Window' and 'The Unexpected Son'.