Mary Poser: Butterflies and white lies as Bollywood comes to Nashville

When Simha Das, a charismatic Hindu Bollywood film director from India, arrives in Nashville, Mary's carefully constructed world begins to unravel. Despite their profound cultural and religious differences—she's country music and steakhouse dinners, he's Bollywood and vegetarianism—an undeniable attraction blooms between them.

Caught between her existing boyfriend, her controlling mother's expectations, and the electrifying connection with Simha, Mary faces an impossible choice: continue pleasing everyone around her or finally discover who she truly is and what she truly wants. Through humor, heartache, and cultural collision, Mary embarks on a journey of self-discovery that challenges everything she's been taught about love, faith, family, and identity.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Nashville's music scene with a splash of Indian culture and Bollywood flair, this is ultimately a story about finding the courage to be authentic and the transformative power of love.

"This book gets an easy 5 out of 5 stars from me. It was extremely hard to put down, and the characters became as familiar as old friends."

~Literary Titan

"Angel A’s HOLY PARROT is a well-written, compelling novel with an engaging story line and characters with depth, interesting motivations, and lots of personality."

~Florence Osmund for IndieReader

"Holy Parrot ideally will assume an active role in any book club or reader group interested in the intersection between science and faith, the resulting drive for a better life, and the miracles that can power such convictions."

~D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“Author Angel A knows how to keep readers in the palm of his hand, delivering a superb range of dramatic highs and lows that come from some really surprising and eye-opening clashes of opinion and belief.”

~K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

“It's not often I'm surprised by a novel. And I read A LOT! But, in the case of Holy Parrot, I thought, “Yes, that's a remarkably original plot.” 

~The Wishing Shelf

“Holy Parrot is an unpredictable read that celebrates the human spirit over conventional skepticism. We recommend it for readers wanting something distinctively crafted by a gifted author.”

~AuthorsReading

“In smooth and polished prose, Angel A compellingly examines the myriad and sometimes opposing ways in which humans deal with the challenges of life and faith, questioning our over reliance on science and scientific methods and our doubt and distrust about more traditional streams of knowledge, especially those of non-European origin.”

~Publishers Weekly Booklife

“Overall, Holy Parrot is a flawless book with a lot to offer. I highly recommend Angel A’s Holy Parrot to anyone and everyone. People who love reading about culture, history, religion, science, and nature will love this captivating novel.”

~Kajori Sheryl Paul at The Chrysalis BREW Project

“Readers who appreciate books exploring culture, religion, and the mysteries of the universe … will find Holy Parrot to be a mesmerizing addition to their shelves.” 

~Books For Humanity Global

“Angel A creates a resounding metaphor for life’s indecisions through the story's central protagonist, Mary Poser, whose uncertainty in life and love becomes a catalyst for her personal transformation.”

~The BookLife Prize

2018 American Fiction Awards Winner

2018 Best Book Awards Winner: Inspirational

2018 NYC Big Book Award Winner: Mind, Body, Spirit

2017 Foreword Reviews Indies Book of the Year Award Finalist

2018 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Multicultural

2018 Paris Book Festival Runner-Up. Category Spiritual/Religious

2018 Readers' Favorite Finalist. Category Cultural

2018 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Nominee for Fiction: Christian Religious

2018 BookViral Millennium Book Award long listed author

2018 London Book Festival Honorable Mention

2018 New Apple Book Awards Official Selection

2018 Body Mind Spirit Book Awards Winner

2019 Independent Press Award Winner

2019 New York Book Festival Winner

*Also available as an audiobook - 2023 SOVAS (Society of Voice Arts and Sciences) best VoiceOver finalist*

Angel A is an Australian writer, filmmaker, and chiropractor who creates "stories that heal." His award-winning debut Mary Poser (SOVAS audiobook finalist) and second novel Holy Parrot explore "Angel's Leap" moments—when characters must choose between defeat or authentic transformation. Film directing, he won the Special Jury Remi Award at WorldFest-Houston. Drawing on 30 years of clinical experience, his work asks readers to recognize their patterns and live authentically. Stories that heal.

From The Author

"Three decades as a healer taught me: our deepest pain isn't physical—it's the gap between who we are and who we pretend to be. I write about "Angel's Leap" moments when characters must choose between defeat or authentic transformation. If you're trapped by expectations, paralyzed by imposter syndrome, or ready to stop pretending, these stories will mirror your journey. Readers tell me my books changed them."

More at angelsleap.com