I’ve written four novels, all romance or women’s fiction books that feature strong, flawed women of South Asian heritage figuring themselves out and falling in love. I’ve worked in law, legal journalism, and book publishing. I was born and raised in Saskatoon, Canada, but moved around a few times as an adult and just moved to the Vancouver area with my husband and our puppy, Joey. Sonya Lalli: I’m an author of Punjabi and Bengali heritage.

We caught up with her just in time for Diwali for a tête-à-tête about the latest book and a lot more!ĭissDash: Tell our readers a little about yourself. When she gets a new job offer back home, Niki must decide what she wants out of the next chapter of her life-to cling to the straight and narrow like always, or to take a leap of faith and live the kind of bold life the old Niki never would have dreamed of.What could be more exciting than falling in love on Diwali? With literal fireworks going around you, it’s the perfect setting, and who better to tell you about it than the author of “A Holly Jolly Diwali,” Sonya Lalli! Free-spirited Sam helps Niki get in touch with her passionate and creative side, and with her Indian roots. When Niki and Sam join Diya, her husband and their friends on a group honeymoon, their connection grows deeper. At the wedding, the champagne flows and their flirtatious banter makes it clear that the attraction is mutual. Maybe it's the splendor of Mumbai or the magic of the holiday season, but Niki is immediately drawn to Sam. Niki arrives in India just in time to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, where she meets London musician Sameer Mukherji.

So for the first time ever, she throws caution to the wind and books a last-minute flight for her friend Diya’s wedding. When she's laid off, Niki realizes that practical hasn't exactly paid off for her. And she's always dated guys that seem good on paper, rather than the ones who give her butterflies. She's always stuck close to home, in case her family needed her.

Despite her love for music and art, she became an analyst for the stability. Twenty-nine-year-old Niki Randhawa has always made practical decisions. One type-A data analyst discovers her free-spirited side on an impulsive journey from bustling Mumbai to the gorgeous beaches of Goa and finds love waiting for her on Christmas morning. 'Lalli's prose is deft, her characters are delightful and her book is the just-right holiday romance.'- USA Today

A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli