2017 Foreword Reviews Indies Book of the Year Award Finalist 
2018 American Fiction Awards Winner.
2018 Best Book Awards Winner
2018 NYC Big Book Award Winner
2018 International Book of the Year Finalist
2018 Paris Book Festival Runner-Up.
2018 Readers' Favorite Finalist
2018 Independent Author Network Book of the year Finalist
2018 London Book Festival Honorable Mention
2018 BookViral Millennium Book Awards Long List
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

Mary Poser: Butterflies and White Lies As Bollywood Comes To Nashville
​tells of a dutiful Southern daughter who pretends to fit into her mother's world, but who secretly holds a penchant for differences and adventure which are hidden from her family and even herself. It seems unlikely that a girl from a strict Baptist household would even meet, much less fall in love with, a Hindu Indian man whose very different world collides with hers on so many levels, but Mary Poser's illusions about life, carefully constructed in a rigid environment, are about to be shaken. 
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It's her time to fly. Is it your time too?

Buy now. Available in original uncut and young adult versions.
Click on retailer below:

Now available as an audiobook. Narrated by Heather Nichols

Nominated by SOVAS for best voiceover in fiction award

Listen to a sample ​👇

The Recipe for a warm and humorous story...

In the modest bowl of Nashville, gently place a girl who is Country music, Bible belt, and a Steakhouse foodie.
Then add a surprise portion of exotic and handsome Anglo Indian who is a passionate Bollywood director, vegetarian and Hindu.
Stir vigorously on a bed of intense attraction. 
At first, the ingredients will seem to clash and separate.
Keep stirring…
Include a dollop of jealous boyfriend and a meddling mother.
Splash in a serving of fun and mischievous friends.
Keep stirring…
Add a dash of crazy aunt and a minister father to keep the flavors working together.
Sprinkle in even more complicated family members to taste.
Cook on high emotions.
The secret ingredient that cuts through the sweetness is a final layer of shocking revelation that adds a surprising depth of flavor.
Finish with a twist of ‘Oh My God! Is she really going to do that?'.
Serve as tasty bite-size chapters in a novel dish of mayhem and madness  with a side of Country music and Bollywood dancing.

Reviews

Readers who relish multicultural stories, Southern roots, coming of age tales, and a powerful female protagonist who figures out how she can gain real happiness will find Mary Poser a completely engrossing read: vivid and hard to put down.
-D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Angel A’s Mary Poser is a heartfelt, pistol-shot-paced intercultural romance set in Nashville.
...A romance with unexpected twists, complicated layers, and tense near misses, Mary Poser is a gratifying trip.
-Drema Drudge, Foreword Review

Full of humor and warmth, MARY POSER touches on serious issues like self-harm, anxiety, and prejudice, while inspiring readers to be happy with who they are, and to always look for butterflies.                
-IndieReader

...a wonderful story that mixes love, friendship, family and even prejudice to create a truly entertaining read. Angel A, has written a sexy, funny and totally enchanting novel. After reading the first few pages of Mary Poser, I thought perhaps this was an inspirational novel, but the captivatingly sexy love scene between Mary and Simha quickly convinced me otherwise. I loved the way the author interlaced humor throughout the novel and made the characters come alive for me. The most delightful part was the wonderful ending, which left me with a smile and a need to read more by this delightful author. 
-Linda Morelli (Award Winning Author)

...the novel succeeds, offering some hot erotic scenes, some surprises, a good metaphor in the uncrossable bridge, and a heroine who grows in understanding herself and her spirituality.
​-Kirkus Review

Fabulous read, I couldn’t put it down! Romantic, humorous, insightful and hugely entertaining. Touches on interesting and diverse themes such as multiculturalism, religion, spirituality, mental health, friendship and love. Beautifully written with an unforgettable ending. I highly recommend it.
-Leonie Allsop (Reviewer)

Many readers will identify with this fabulous book's main character, Mary Poser, a young social worker from the Nashville bible belt, whose default behaviour mode is to try to please everyone, her friends, her selfish boyfriend, her over-powering mother, everyone in fact except herself. Her story takes the reader through her rollercoaster journey of every escalating and often entertaining dilemmas and denials in following her heart and her passion for Simha, a handsome, spiritual, Hindu moviemaker, or doing what she feels is her duty and expected of her by marrying her home town, country music singing boyfriend. Her story includes issues of racial and religious prejudice, social acceptability, anxiety and self harm, which all roll towards a wonderful final crescendo of awakening and liberation. A riveting read and hard to put down.
-Gabby Crehan (Reviewer)

Angel A's Mary Poser, shows us that words and emotions are powerful tools.
... Themes of societal expectation and change heavily influence this thrilling read. We learn the importance of what it means to find oneself and see the clever ways in which the author lays bare the human condition.
The writer's style is articulate and flows well, possessing a distinct voice in Mary's first person narration. You will find a good mix of cultures, as well as a diverse range of characters throughout. The clarity of Angel's prose sings. 
I adored the humorous and at times awkward, yet endearing moments between Mary and Simha, and was particularly fond of the insightful quotes regarding love that were used for each chapter heading.
Overall, Mary Poser made for a highly entertaining read that I believe has changed my life and the way that I view others. Rated 5/5 stars.
-Daccari Buchelli (Reviewer)

Growing up in the Bible belt, I can attest that there are people like Mrs. Poser: the critical mama, sassy Southern Baptist 'bless-your-heart' walking stereotype...
And there are people like Mary: the dutiful one; "perfect" daughter. Also member of the 'bless your heart' club. She is her mother's daughter, at least, she tries, and pretends to be. We all know what happens when we try to fit into the boxes someone created for us. 
When Simha Das, an Indian film director, begins to take Mary out of these boxes that she obediently put herself in, she starts to question and examine family loyalty, expectations, happiness, love, and faith. 
This book was a blend in Southern hospitality that I'm familiar with, and a culture, and religion that I was not. I appreciate Angel A taking the time to reflect the differences between Hindu and Christianity. And bridging the gap of two seemingly different - and yet with some commonality - in a romantic love story wasn't lost on me.
-Leila Tualla (Reviewer)
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Mary Poser is a wonderful insightful book about trying so hard to please everyone. Mary is the perfect minister 's daughter, perfect friend, perfect girlfriend.....why isn't she perfectly happy. When a Bollywood filmmaker comes to her town of Nashville it shakes her life up makes her look at her life and everything around her in new ways. I read this book in exchange for a review and was cheering for Mary the whole time. I hope we will see more from author Angel A. I want to read Mary's siblings' stories too!
-Eileen Pepel (Reviewer)
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This was the first book I have read by this author and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. This was more than just another romance book with a love triangle. It delved deep into friendships, family, bigotry, religion, and multi-cultural beliefs. 
... Angel A. did a remarkable job explaining customs and beliefs in the Indian culture. I was fascinated reading every time Simha explained his culture to Mary. Very descriptive and the characters were very well developed...
-Scherry Jenkins (Reviewer)

I like to read books that speak to reality in an entertaining and enlightening way, and that’s exactly what this book does. Through Mary’s journey of self-discovery and her struggle to be true to herself rather than live the life expected of her, the author examines issues of religion, stereotypes and prejudice, and mental illness.
...I found the book entertaining, well-written, and to be an interesting cultural study. Best of all, I learned from it and it made me think.
-Kristin Houlihan (Reviewer)

Mary Poser is a cleverly crafted, delightful, and entertaining read.
Mary was from a strict Baptist home, and according to her mother, it was a sin to fall in love with a Hindu practicing man. The problem was, though, that Mary had fallen for Simha, an Indian film producer from the moment she had met him. Mary was a people pleaser to the extreme, so to keep peace, she knew that she’d have to deny herself the pleasure of Simha’s company. But, Mary couldn’t resist Simha’s charms, and the guilt of being with him almost did her in. Mary didn’t know whether she should choose her family and give up her happiness or choose happiness and give up the peaceful relationship she had with her family.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This novel is well-written with quirky characters, witty dialogue, and funny situations. The book touched on many serious subjects, such as racism, homosexuality, self-harm, self-acceptance, and love. In the end, as Mary discovered, there is only love.
-Peg Glover (Reviewer)

Mary Poser by Angel A was the most interesting novel I have read in awhile. The culture and religious content made me even more curious. The entire story was entertaining.
... Mary Poser has what I call the real life syndrome. Struggles are just a part of life. Mary is at a crossroads...and when she finally finds the courage to make a decision it will be beautiful.
... Angel A created a realistic plot that readers can easily relate to...and feel connected to the characters. Overall, this story was a great read.
-Danielle Urban (Reviewer)

I loved this book very much. I loved how the author combined all these sensitive themes and I definitely loved Mary. We get to experience her development as an individual and as a woman.
​-Lilly's Book World (Reviewer)

A Mix of fun and romance
Sometimes opposites attract, but when cultures attract and collide, something wonderful can happen. This book is a 'recipe' for a wonderful story, and it's a lot of fun. Mary is one of those characters that you have to get used to, but she's a great one. She's stubborn, opinionated and just out right wonderful... There can be that feeling of awkwardness which comes from any new relationship, and entering unchartered territory. It's what is unfamiliar that is most attractive. It's a great story and brings a lot of contrast. It's full of humor and softness.
-Amy Shannon (Amy's Bookshelf Reviews)

This is one of the best books that I have ever read.
... Join Mary Poser as she finds her way through life and when tragedy almost strikes, she uses her Nashville, Southern roots and butterflies to get her through. With love and hometown life struggles, follow her as she keeps her head above water and comes into her metamorphosis.
-Jennifer Durham (Bookseller)

This is a beautifully written book, with cultures clashing throughout. The book follows the path highlighting how it can all come together. It is a beautiful love story, with a great family storyline. There were many books that could lead from this one as some characters were only touched upon but would have had great stories to tell! 
Along with the highs there are some sad lows for many of the characters. Set in the country music city sprinkled with a dash of Indian culture, this book is a great read.
-Laura Jay (Reviewer)

I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book. I liked Mary as a main character. She had a really great personality that I feel like I haven’t seen in contemporary fiction. I also really enjoyed her interaction with her family.
-Jackie Gorham (Reviewer)

A very interesting tale that held my attention all the way through. Great plot, twists and turns & the writing kept me hopping!
-Jami Caldwell (Reviewer)

In Mary Poser, Butterflies and White Lies as Bollywood Comes to Nashville, this reviewer discovered a more complex story than the title suggested, also a more compelling story... Mary Poser at its best moments is a romantic, likable, visually rich story that offers social commentary while it entertains.
-Lyndsey Redding (Sassy Girls Book Expo)

Truly an enjoyable read, I loved how the story progresses from the introduction to the accident, to the hiccups and then to the self-discovery. Also the human values, religion and choices made were so relevant, realistic in current life. Easy to understand and straightforward prose made it easy to grasp and imagine the story itself.
-Susan Lee (Reviewer)

This was a culturally diverse novel which I loved! There is also a nice juxtaposition between Hinduism and southern Baptist Christianity. This book touches on social issues such as bigotry, racism, homosexuality, and inter-racial relationships to name a few. There is practically no stone left unturned...
...What I can say is that this novel is entertaining and will undoubtedly appeal to a wide reader audience.
-Amy Mathew (Reviewer)

Mary Poser: Butterflies and White Lies as Bollywood Comes to Nashville by Angel A is a story of love and commitment between two people who are the polar opposites of one another. What I loved most about this story is the fact that the two characters were so different from each other and yet they remained true to themselves. Neither of them tried to change the other person and that just made the story brilliantly beautiful. It made the story even more enjoyable for me as this helped the story build and become a live entity.
The story was complex and brilliantly crafted. The differences between these two characters were palpable, yet this made them even more perfect for each other. I enjoyed how these two tried their hardest to become one. At times, I wanted to shake Mary and make her realize what she was missing, but I did not have to do that. She realized it all on her own. This story is perfect! Their connection, their integrity towards themselves and their love for each other made this a beautiful story. Exceptionally good!
-Rabia Tanveer (Readers' Favorite)

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