EPISODE · Apr 14, 2026 · 58 MIN
Ep52: Chandrani Ghosh is bringing her new novel, Heartlines, to Elaine’s Literary Salon. “Think ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ for Indian families,” says the former journalist turned author
from Elaine's Literary Salon · host Inkandescent Radio
Meet the Author: Chandrani Ghosh is a former journalist (Time, Forbes, and Business Standard) who, many years ago, traded her press pass for a carpool one. Now that the carpoolers are drivers, she returns to the page. Drawing on her experiences of growing up in the chaotic worlds of Kolkata and Delhi, spending her twenties in London, Geneva, and Kathmandu, and eventually settling in Washington, Ghosh makes her literary debut with Heartlines. Learn more: cghosh.com About Heartlines: Sharmila Basu has curated the perfect life. He is the one variable she never planned for. As an Indian American political journalist, Sharmila appears to be living the ultimate American Dream: a high-powered career, vintage wardrobe, and a swanky home in the power corridors of Washington, DC. She lives with her boyfriend, America’s reigning heartthrob and favourite TV news anchor, Lionel Stern. Even Lionel’s notoriously icy mother has welcomed her into the fold. “Heartlines,” by Chandrani Ghosh But for the daughter of an Indian Foreign Service attaché, who spent her childhood traversing the globe before finally settling in the US, the word “predictable” is a dangerous one and stability an illusion. At a high-profile awards gala, Sharmila’s orderly world is upended by a chance encounter with a group of vibrant Indian Americans – specifically, Jake Thacker. A math savant turned tech mogul, Jake possesses a gravitational pull that Sharmila can’t ignore. Sparks fly. Lines blur. And suddenly, everything she has felt certain about feels negotiable. As kismet begins to unravel her carefully constructed reality, a darker threat looms. Beneath Sharmila’s poised exterior lies a secret from her past, one that no longer intends to stay buried. When her past threatens to become national headlines, Sharmila must decide if she is willing to let her world implode to finally find her own truth. From the gala circuits of DC and the quiet porches of Iowa City to the sun-drenched streets of San Sebastian in Spain, this is a love triangle unlike any other. Click here to buy Heartlines. Click here to read the Feb. 15 feature in The American Bazaar spotlighting Chandrani, her new book, and her journey to becoming an author. About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com. <p id="caption-attachment-12728-20" class="wp-caption-text
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Ep52: Chandrani Ghosh is bringing her new novel, Heartlines, to Elaine’s Literary Salon. “Think ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ for Indian families,” says the former journalist turned author
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