Book Description

Inspired by history comes this breathtaking story of star-crossed lovers against the backdrop of colourful nineteenth century India... “The book’s cross-cultural relationship is refreshing, and its peek into sites around Lahore is delightful.” - Kirkus Reviews A different world awaits Catherine Rose, an Englishwoman who travels with her mother from England to India. While her father, stationed at the Punjab University, is their direction, destiny intervenes and crosses her path with the educated and kind Kharak. A recently qualified engineer from Lahore who works for the Indian railways, he is as taken with the feminine, unreserved Englishwoman as she is with him. Aghast at the blossoming friendship, her father, incited by Ivan, a colonial engineer, arranges to keep Catherine and Kharak from falling in love. Arranging matters, he gets Kharak sent to work in another British colony, never to see or speak to his daughter again. In the last few moments he has, Kharak manages to leave two notes for Catherine. Flouting her father’s orders, Catherine flees in secret and follows her heart, away from Lahore to Mombasa. But little does she know that Ivan, as Kharak’s supervisor, will be there - nor that he is now her pursuer. With everything to lose, hope is all that Catherine can cling to, hope that love will win the day and she and Kharak will finally be together. Inspired by history and written with first-hand knowledge of the locations, this achingly moving historical romance crosses continents from England to India and East Africa during a fascinating part of history. The plot is woven between lush descriptions to create a compelling story of forbidden love and an uncertain ending that will linger long after the last page.