ROMANCE GETS SPICIER BY THE PAGE

Name: Aurora Palit. It is a pen name! Palit is my mother’s maiden name and Aurora is a nod to my middle school French and science teacher (shoutout to Madame Arora!). Having grown up around other immigrant desi women, Madame Arora was the first adult of South Asian descent whom I felt I could identify with: she was trendy, modern, and empathized with some of the first generation challenges I struggled with.

Currently: My contemporary romcom Sunshine and Spice debuted in September 2024 and follows the story of Naomi Kelly, a struggling brand consultant who lands the lucrative opportunity to re-brand a neglected South Asian business only to realize she might be in over her head. As the daughter of a free-spirited Bengali mother who refuses to acknowledge her roots, Naomi knows very little about the cultural nuances her new employer wishes to preserve in her rebranded business. She decides to team up with her employer’s son, Dev Mukherjee, who agrees to help her complete the job successfully in exchange for Naomi posing as his fake girlfriend to ward off his mother’s persistent and unwelcome matchmaking efforts. In true romance fashion, hijinks and romantic escapades ensue.

I have a second, stand-alone novel coming out in 2025 that I can’t reveal too much about yet; however, it’s also a romcom, exists in the same world as Sunshine and Spice, and includes the following tropes: rivals to lovers, work proximity, and he falls first.

My life in 50 words: I’m a Bengali-Canadian born and raised in western Canada. When I’m not putting words to my overactive imagination, I’m hanging out with my family, watching mockumentary sitcoms (Parks and Recreation, and Abbott’s Elementary are my favourites), reading everything – especially romance! – and unsuccessfully resisting my sweet tooth.

The writer in me took flight when: …A friend told me I should stop talking about my ideas and just write a damn book. With a one-year-old at home (and a reduced social life as a result), I started writing every night after putting my son to bed and a book slowly took shape!

My favourite line in literature. In Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa, Miss Howe writes in a letter to her pen pal, Miss Clarissa Harlowe: “Only, that all men are Monkeys more or less, or else that you and I should have such Baboons as these to chuse out of, is a mortifying thing, my dear.” 

Favourite colours: Soft mint green and rich jewel tones always catch my eye.

Favourite movie: I’ve watched Mean Girls, Where The Heart Is, K3G, Brooklyn, Cool Runnings, and Pride and Prejudice too many times to count.

Favourite musicians: I couldn’t possibly choose! One of my jobs requires me to scour the internet for artistes from around the world and I have a soft spot for music from the Caribbean, including soca and dancehall. 

Favourite songs: September by Earth, Wind, and Fire, Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder, and anything by Olatunji (to list a few!).

Favourite TV shows: Parks and Recreation, Abbott’s Elementary, and Never Have I Ever.

Favourite ice cream flavour: President’s Choice Loaded Cookie Dough or Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia.

Favourite cuisine: All food is good in my books – especially if I don’t have to cook it! I especially love Korean, Greek, Middle Eastern, and my mom’s traditional Bengali cooking.

Favourite sports: I grew up competitive swimming and love watching Olympic gymnastics, beach volleyball, and hockey.

Favourite activities: Reading, writing, dancing, eating good food, baking with my kids, and trying to organize my hectic life.

I hang out: In libraries, cafés, and with my favourite people.

I’m freaked out by: All the animals that fascinate my kids (snakes, spiders, most reptiles, scorpions, and insects).

I need: To feel a certain level of productivity and chocolate to function.

My role models: Constantly change as I move through life phases; however, my parents remain a constant. They work so hard and love deeply.

Tips to save the planet: Be mindful of your consumption. If everyone paid attention to the little ways we can conserve, the planet would be much better off.

In a perfect world: People would prioritize kindness, empathy and compassion above all else.

Be a Desi Star!  If you’d like Desi News readers to ‘meet’ you, call 416-695-4357 or e-mail desinews@rogers.com to arrange a photo session! It’s fun and it’s free!