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Alka Joshi

Biography

Alka Joshi

Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur Trilogy: THE HENNA ARTIST, THE SECRET KEEPER OF JAIPUR and THE PERFUMIST OF PARIS. SIX DAYS IN BOMBAY is her fourth novel. Her debut novel, THE HENNA ARTIST, immediately became a New York Times bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, an LA Times bestseller, a Toronto Star and Globe & Mail bestseller, an Indie Bookstores bestseller, a Cosmopolitan Best Audiobook, and an Amazon and Goodreads favorite. It was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, has been translated into 29 languages, and has been optioned as an episodic series.

Since its release during the pandemic of 2020, Alka has spoken to over 1000 libraries, book clubs, bookstores, literary festivals, podcasters, universities and colleges, and corporations about persistence, patience and passion and her 10-year journey to overnight success. Because she started her writing career at the age of 62, Forbes selected Alka as one of 50 Women Over 50 who are shattering age and gender norms. 

Alka was born in India and came to the U.S. with her family at the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts.

Books by Alka Joshi

by Alka Joshi - Fiction, Historical Fiction

When renowned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she's expected to make a quick recovery. Her nurse, Sona, is excited to learn more about the vivacious artist who shares her half-Indian identity. Sona finds herself carried away by Mira's stories of her travels and exploits and is shocked by accounts of the many lovers the painter has left scattered throughout Europe. When Mira dies quite suddenly and mysteriously, Sona falls under suspicion. The key to proving Sona's innocence may lie in a cryptic note and four paintings Mira left in her care, sending the young woman on a mission to visit the painter's former friends and lovers across a tumultuous Europe teetering toward war. On the precipice of discovering her own identity, Sona learns that the painter's charming facade hid a far more complicated, troubled soul.

by Alka Joshi - Fiction, Historical Fiction

Radha is now living in Paris with her husband, Pierre, and their two daughters. She still grieves for the baby boy she gave up years ago, but she loves being a mother to her daughters and finally has found her passion --- the treasure trove of scents. She has an exciting and challenging position working for a master perfumer, helping to design completely new fragrances for clients and building her career one scent at a time. Tasked with her first major project, Radha travels to India, where she enlists the help of her sister, Lakshmi, and the courtesans of Agra. She’s on the cusp of a breakthrough when she finds out that the son she never told her husband about is heading to Paris to find her --- upending her carefully managed world and threatening to destroy a vulnerable marriage.

by Alka Joshi - Fiction, Historical Fiction

It’s the spring of 1969, and henna artist Lakshmi, now married to Dr. Jay Kumar, directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Her protégé, Malik, has finished his private school education. At 20, he has just met a young woman named Nimmi when he leaves to apprentice at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their latest project: a state-of-the-art cinema. Power and money move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipur’s Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinema’s balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth.

by Alka Joshi - Fiction, Historical Fiction

Escaping from an abusive marriage, 17-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist --- and confidante --- to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own. Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow --- a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly, the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened.