Noela Nancarrow reviews Veiled at Midnight by Christine Lindsay



Veiled at Midnight

Veiled at Midnight (Book #3 Twilight of the British Raj)
by Christine Lindsay
WhiteFire Publishing (October 7, 2014)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****

Unveiling trouble in love and land.. 

‘Veiled at Midnight’ is a sweeping story of love and heartache, freedom and captivity, and friendship and hostility - set within the beautiful yet contrasting land of India. History unfolds before your very eyes in one of the most significant periods of India’s past… when during the year 1947, India not only gained their independence from British rule, but also fell into deadly chaos as the Muslims fought the Hindu’s and Sikh’s in their bid to create the nation of Pakistan. During this tumultuous year of unpredictability as the country is torn apart, will it be possible for love to survive… Or will it too, be ripped asunder?

British Captain Cameron “Cam” Fraser’s last reunion with the breathtakingly beautiful Dassah was ten years ago and resulted in a not-too-chaste kiss before he fled from her life and an impossible situation. He’d known this delightful girl from his childhood, but the fact remained that he was a British Officer and she, an Indian woman, both effectively divided by class and culture. How is it then when they connect again after a terrible train derailment in Calcutta, that feelings he didn't know he had, surfaced with such an intensity and pull? But is Cam able to be everything for Dassah when he has a mistress in the form of a bottle? Or will their mutual childhood friend Zakir, who is also carrying a torch for ‘Dassah, end up being that man? Oh, what a journey they go on to reach their final destination!

So eloquent and descriptive is author Christine Lindsay’s prose, that kaleidoscopic scenes with the flavors and scents of India fill your mind’s eye, forming images as on a living canvas. The research is impeccable and thorough, reaching every page, and granting the reader not only a step back in time, but an absolute immersion into the oft little known yet fascinating history of India. Emotionally, this extraordinary tale touched me deeply and caused my eyes to leak rivers! Discovering the brutal atrocities that transpired within India during this period was quite shocking, but counter-balancing the harsh reality was the enduring hope of the richly-crafted characters, their growing faith in God, and the depths of love between them that was stunningly heart-warming and inspiring.

The author deftly tackles the substantial and sombre issues of racism and alcoholism with tremendous spiritual insight and sensitivity throughout this impressive novel. ‘Veiled at Midnight’ also carries the eternal message that our parent’s failures don’t have to define us, because when we give ourselves fully over to Christ, He is able to make us a new creation. Thank you Christine for this truly memorable story, and series!

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You can find Veiled at Midnight at these places and others: Amazon; Barnes & Noble; BAM

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