Interview with Christine Lindsay

Christine Lindsay is the author of "Shadowed in Silk", published by WhiteFire, 2011.  This book was the winning entry for the 2009 ACFW Genesis for Historical.

I met Christine through HisWriters (a Yahoo group for writers who have either published or have works in progress with European settings.)

Christine welcome to Overcoming Through Time.  Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

A personal hardship affects so much of my writing. The hardest thing I ever had to overcome was the loss of my first child when I relinquished her to adoption when she was 3 days old. I wasn’t married when I gave birth to my daughter, Sarah, and for her sake, felt that the she deserved a loving dad as well as a loving mom (me). The only way I could provide that was to give her up to a couple who were happily married and both of them loving the Lord.

I’d grown up with only one parent, as my dad is an abusive alcoholic. So I made the hard choice for my little girl. God was good though, and we were reunited 20 years later. But in meeting this beautiful young woman, and recognizing her as my child, and yet not my child, I felt the loss of her all over again. Much of my difficult childhood, and relinquishing my first child, colors my writing. I don’t give my characters easy lives, but always show the redemptive and healing love of God in my stories.

What is your favorite bible verse and why? 


Isaiah 49:15, 16a “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”

I know firsthand that a woman cannot forget her child, and also what it feels like to wait 20 years to see that child again. Based on the intensity of my love for the daughter I had to give up, when I compare it to God’s love for me, I’m amazed at the depth of His love.

But a person can never out-give God. He not only blessed me by reunited Sarah and I years later, but she became my muse for writing. And then God arranged for Sarah to be the model on the front cover of Shadowed in Silk, my debut novel. Only a tender-hearted God can do that.

Disability friendliness:

Is this latest release available in audio format?

Wow—I never thought of that!!! But I checked it out, and Kindle does offer a ‘read-to-me’ version for the visually impaired.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your reading your books and why?

To understand that no matter how small or insignificant you feel, God sees you and hears you when you cry out in whatever desert your pain has taken you to. My character, Abby, learns that while she felt invisible to those who should have loved her but didn’t, that God does. She also learns that only through Christ the veil of sin can be lifted from her. But after that, He can see her face-to-face.

As you researched your book, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

My appreciation for the Indian culture grew into one of love. I had started out with a pet interest in India because the exotic setting in some of my books. But I grew to love the real country and the real people so much, that when the opportunity came to visit India on a writing missions trip, I went. It was a highlight in my life. I dedicated Shadowed in Silk to the children in India, and to that mission, Children’s Camps International, with the hope that I can promote their ministry—that of running day camps where Indian children learn about Christ through play, and song and stories.

Thank you Christine for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day,keep on writing, and may your relationship with your daughter continue to grow stronger with each day!!




Giveaway:  We have a review of Christine's book up on Wednesday. Leave a comment on this interview or on Wednesday's review by Diana Flowers for a chance to either win an e-book now OR  a paper copy later in the fall.  Your choice!  Makes sure to leave your email address!