Shannon here: Christine Lindsay shares a romantic character interview from her latest historical romance, Veiled at Midnight. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated Feb 9 – 13 to enter the drawing for her complete 3-book trilogy set of e-books. One winner will receive Shadowed in Silk, Captured by Moonlight, and Veiled at Midnight. Deadline: Feb 21st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Christine:
- What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
Cam took my breath away with his gifts just before our wedding. He knew I had few clothes being a poor Indian woman, and running away with him to elope. When we reached Kashmir he purchased a beautiful English frock for me to wear, and Indian saris in coral silk and one in green which I wore for our wedding.
However, the most romantic and cherished gift he ever gave me was the Christensen Akro Slag marble, his pride and joy when he was a boy. Cam gave it to me when I was only nine, and he was twelve just as he was sailing away to England to go to school. He pressed the marble into my hand because I was crying. He promised that he would return to India one day when he became a man, and marry me.
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic vacation destination?
As a child Cam’s mother used to tell me many stories of places around the world. I had always wanted to see the mountains up close. When Cam returned to India—indeed as a man and an officer in the British Army with a prestigious post as aide to Lord Louis Mountbatten—he whisked me away to the foot of the Himalayas to marry him in secret.
- What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
As a soldier in His Majesty’s Forces, Cam stands so straight, his shoulders back, trying not to show his emotions. But I can see the way he looks at me, especially when his heart is breaking over the fact that he has to keep our marriage a secret. No matter how strong he tries to appear, I see the vulnerability in his sensitive mouth, the longing in his eyes.
- How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he was the one?
Since I have known Cam since I was a little girl in the mission orphanage in the north of India, I have always loved him, and known that he loved me. But as a man loves a woman—I did not know this until he returned to India as a man. He searched for me and found me after ten long years. As soon as I saw him again, I knew my heart has room only for Cam Fraser.
- Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
I am a woman, and often women must be the most pragmatic. We must always think of ways to live, safety for our loved ones, especially in times of war and famine. And though my husband is a soldier he is the most romantic. He dips me when we dance on our houseboat during our honeymoon. He brings me gifts every day. He holds me under the moonlight each night, close to his heart.
- What is the most caring thing you’ve ever done for your spouse?
Would you believe me if I told you that the most caring thing I have ever done for the man I love and call my husband, is to leave him. Though my heart shriveled and died that day, it is best that he not be hampered in his illustrious career by being married to me, a poor Indian woman. Though he says he cannot live without me, I can only believe that he keeps our marriage a secret because he is ashamed of me. What else can I believe?
- Who said, “I love you” first, you or your spouse?
I would never have dreamt of telling Cam that I loved him. It was unbelievable, shocking me to my core when he came to the house in which I am employed and declared his love for me, and his wish to marry me. In the parlor of my employer, Cam trembled as he stood before me, not touching me—that would not have been proper—but swearing his undying love forever.
- Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
To the Vale of Kashmir, a valley at the base of the Himalayas. Just outside the flower-strewn garden city of Srinigar lies the vast Dal Lake. Houseboats dot this lake, and Cam and I spent our first two months of marriage on a green and white houseboat. Each day we swam in the lake among the pink and white lotus blossoms. Each evening we danced under the stars on the upper deck to the sound of American Big Band music.
Christine makes her home on the west coast of Canada with her husband and their grown up family. Her cat Scottie is chief editor on all Christine’s books. Learn more and connect: www.christinelindsay.com, https://twitter.com/CLindsayWriter, https://www.pinterest.com/clindsaywriter/, https://www.facebook.com/ChristineLindsayWriter, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4767699.Christine_Lindsay
About the book – Veiled at Midnight: Book 3 of the multi-award-winning series Twilight of the British Raj
As the British Empire comes to an end, millions flee to the roads. Caught up in the turbulent wake is Captain Cam Fraser, his sister Miriam, and the beautiful Indian Dassah.
Cam has never been able to put Dassah from his mind, ever since the days when he played with the orphans at the mission as a boy. But a British officer and the aide to the last viceroy cannot marry a poor Indian woman, can he?
As this becomes clear to Dassah, she has no option but to run. Cam may hold her heart—but she cannot let him break it again.
Miriam rails against the separation of the land of her birth, but is Lieutenant Colonel Jack Sunderland her soulmate or a distraction from what God has called her to do?
The 1947 Partition has separated the country these three love…but can they find their true homes before it separates them forever?
Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble
Question: Have you on any type of boat? If so, did you enjoy it? If not, would you like to have the opportunity?
Come back Feb 11th for an excerpt from Veiled at Midnight!
would love to win.
Thank you for your comment Angela. Glad you enjoyed the interview of my character Dassah.
What an intriguing story! The setting is new and refreshing to me, and I’d love to win your stories. Thank you for this opportunity, Christine.
Thank you Kathleen, I was always fascinated by the exoticness of India when I was a girl reading great British Raj novels. A stunningly beautiful country and yet prevalent to such sadness. But I believe in hope and happy endings. I promise that in every book.
To answer the question, no, I don’t have a boat at this time in my life. However, in the past, my husband and I owned a canoe, a fishing boast, and a speedboat. My parents owned a houseboat. I did a lot of canoeing in my younger years, and I loved staying on the houseboat in Northern Minnesota.
I went out on the lake on a party barge as a kid. It was fun. But as an adult, I went on a riverboat and it made me sick. I’ve always had motion sickness and it’s gotten worse as I’ve gotten older.
I don’t have a boat either, but we do own a canoe and a little camping trailer. My husband and I really love the outdoors. Thank you for dropping by Kay.