Cover Reveal: Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi, illustrated by Bev Johnson

 

2020 got you down? Here is something to look forward to in 2021 - a new Middle Grade fantasy novel by a debut author. Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi is the 18th book and the first middle grade novel EVER published by @mangoandmarigoldpress and it's a good one. The novel tells the story of Rea Chettri, a 12-year-old girl living a simple, if boring, life on the tea plantations of Darjeeling, India. Without warning, Rea's life gets turned on its head when her twin brother goes missing. Determined to save him, Rea embarks on a secret, thrilling adventure into the enchanted world of Astranthia. There, Rea will make new friends, grapple with dark truths, and learn the meaning of family and friendship, and discover her true self. Rea and the Blood of the Nectar is the first book in the series The Chronicles of Astranthia.

So, without further ado, I present... 

Now, meet the Author:

Payal Doshi has a Masters in Creative Writing (Fiction) from The New School in New York City. Having lived in the UK and the US, she noticed a lack of Indian protagonists in global children's fiction and one day wrote the opening paragraph to what would become her first children's novel. Payal was born and raised in Mumbai, India, and currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and two-year-old daughter. When she isn't writing or spending time with her family, you can find her nose deep in a book with a cup of coffee or daydreaming of fantasy realms to send her character off into. She loved the smell of old, yellowed books. Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, the first book in The Chronicles of Astranthia series is her debut middle grade novel.

You can find Payal on Instagram @payaldoshiauthor

and on Twitter @payaldwrites

But wait, there's more...

With this launch, @mangoandmarigoldpress is also continuing their #1001DiverseBooks program to help them bridge the diversity gap but also the accessibility gap in children's literature. With each new book launch, Mango and Marigold Press is committed to also raise the funds to donate 1001 books to literacy and advocacy nonprofits that are working across the country to help those in need.

They need your help to make their vision a reality. Will you be a part of the change to end the diversity gap AND accessibility gap? When you pre-order your copy of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, you can also sponsor a copy for their nonprofit partner for only $10! 

For all pre-orders placed between September 15 through September 22, 2020 you will have an exclusive chapter to read as a sneak peek into Rea's adventure as well as receive limited edition character buttons, a bookmark, sticker, and signed bookplate from the author!