Chandrani Ghosh is bringing her novel, Heartlines, to Elaine's

Schedule

Sun May 03 2026 at 12:00 pm to 03:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Elaine's | Alexandria, VA

Advertisement
"Think 'Crazy Rich Asians' for Indian families," says the former journalist turned author
About this Event

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 .

About the Book: 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.

[caption id="attachment_6748" align="alignright" width="266"]"Heartlines," by Chandrani Ghosh[/caption]

But for the daughter of an Indian Foreign Service attaché, who spent her childhood traversing the globe before finally settling in the US, predictable is a dangerous word 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

Click here to read the Feb. 15 feature in The American Bazaar

About our Elaine's Literary Salon Host, 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:

. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on and listen to all the podcasts on

[caption id="attachment_12728" align="alignright" width="300"]Elaine's Literary Salon[/caption]

A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. "I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her," shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area." Located in an 1880s building, it was the previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Elaine's, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host Jeffrey Higgins + Hope Gibbs InkandescentPR

Host or Publisher Host Jeffrey Higgins + Hope Gibbs InkandescentPR

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Alexandria

Morocco Day \/ Small Business Summit
Sat, 02 May at 06:00 pm Morocco Day / Small Business Summit

3905 Wheeler Ave

BUSINESS
LIVE MUSIC:Frame and Mantle w\/ Local support @ Galactic Panther
Sat, 02 May at 06:30 pm LIVE MUSIC:Frame and Mantle w/ Local support @ Galactic Panther

Galactic Panther Art Gallery

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Leonid & Friends
Sat, 02 May at 07:30 pm Leonid & Friends

Birchmere

Broken Ground - #LiveMusic #SaturdayNight
Sat, 02 May at 09:30 pm Broken Ground - #LiveMusic #SaturdayNight

Alexandria Bier Garden, 710 King Street, Alexandria, VA, USA

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Copy of Copy of Flow & Faith
Sun, 03 May at 01:00 pm Copy of Copy of Flow & Faith

IndigoChanel MakeUp

HEALTH-WELLNESS POP-UPS
Alexandria, VA - Matthew Smith & Indelible Grace
Sun, 03 May at 05:00 pm Alexandria, VA - Matthew Smith & Indelible Grace

Alexandria Presbyterian Church

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton
Sun, 03 May at 07:30 pm Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton

Birchmere

LIVE MUSIC: !FIASCO!
Sun, 03 May at 07:30 pm LIVE MUSIC: !FIASCO!

Galactic Panther Art Gallery

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Creative Book Club at Del Ray Artisans (Book for January 10 & April 11)
Sat, 10 Jan at 10:00 am Creative Book Club at Del Ray Artisans (Book for January 10 & April 11)

Del Ray Artisans

ART FINE-ARTS
ALX Book TALX with Whitney Parnell
Wed, 11 Mar at 06:00 pm ALX Book TALX with Whitney Parnell

ALX Community - Waterfront

Lost Ladies of Literature Book Club: Mrs. Spring by Sui Sin Far
Wed, 11 Mar at 06:00 pm Lost Ladies of Literature Book Club: Mrs. Spring by Sui Sin Far

2200 Mt Vernon Ave

ART LITERARY-ART
Rated R for Reading - March Discussion
Wed, 11 Mar at 07:00 pm Rated R for Reading - March Discussion

301 Cameron St

PERFORMANCES ART
March Queer Book Club: Missing Sam
Fri, 13 Mar at 07:00 pm March Queer Book Club: Missing Sam

Old Town Books

ART LITERARY-ART
Community Event: Books in Bloom
Sat, 14 Mar at 09:30 am Community Event: Books in Bloom

Old Town Books

KIDS ART
Spring Storytime  with Author Laura Gehl
Sat, 14 Mar at 09:30 am Spring Storytime with Author Laura Gehl

Old Town Books

ART LITERARY-ART
Alexandria Festival of the Book: Portraying America 1776-2026
Sat, 14 Mar at 10:00 am Alexandria Festival of the Book: Portraying America 1776-2026

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

FESTIVALS ART
To Be Read Book Club: Perfume by Patrick S\u00fcskind
Sat, 14 Mar at 12:00 pm To Be Read Book Club: Perfume by Patrick Süskind

2200 Mt Vernon Ave

ART LITERARY-ART
Paper Bag Puppets of American Women
Sat, 14 Mar at 02:00 pm Paper Bag Puppets of American Women

Martha Washington Community Library

WOMENS-HISTORY-MONTH
Craft Workshop: Paper Flower Bouquet
Sat, 14 Mar at 04:00 pm Craft Workshop: Paper Flower Bouquet

Old Town Books

WORKSHOPS
DC Gals March 2026 Movie Club - Reminders of Him
Sun, 15 Mar at 01:00 pm DC Gals March 2026 Movie Club - Reminders of Him

AMC Hoffman Center 22

ENTERTAINMENT

What's Happening Next in Alexandria?

Discover Alexandria Events