Christine Lindsay: An "Ordinary" Woman with an Extraordinary God

by Delia Latham

A huge welcome to blogger and author Christine Lindsay!

I asked Christine who she is outside the realm of writing and publication and all that jazz.

"I am so ordinary, it's hilarious. I used to be an administrative assistant, going off to work in suits, high heels and makeup. Now that I'm following the labor of my heart (writing) I work in my home office and wear the closest thing I can get to pajamas—sweat pants and a sweat shirt.

"But there are times I have to go out and leave my beloved laptop behind along with my cat. Then I slap on some mascara, whip a comb through my hair, put on some decent slacks and head out the door with a cup of tea in my hands. I can drive with one hand and drink my tea with the other."

What "ordinary"? That's multi-tasking!

Christine admits that her life is "a whirlwind of stuff," between church and her family. But she still finds time to write.

I asked what inspired her novel, Shadowed in Silk.

"As a British immigrant, I grew up on adventure stories set in British Colonial India. That was as fascinating and adventurous a time in England's history as the Wild West is to Americans," Christine said. "Think gallant cavalry officers dashing off into the desert to bring peace to a volatile land. And think also of their English wives and sweethearts drinking tea and eating cucumber sandwiches in flower-laden gardens."

Ooohhh! And she's not even finished.

 "My number-one favorite book is a secular novel by the famous MM Kaye, Far Pavilions. I always wanted to write a book set in India but from a Christian viewpoint. So I have a Christian major in the British Cavalry charging forward on his steed, searching for Russian spies, trying to keep the peace in a land on the brink of rebellion, and helping a woman and her son who are being abused and neglected by her husband."

The heroine is not a Christian when Shadowed in Silk opens, and she falls in love with this dashing hero.

"He is committed to God," Christine explained. "There is no chance of a relationship between them. It's not a romance, but a love story that only God can sort out. It's also about women who suffer in all nationalities from abusive marriages."

Christine shares her own "true-life birth-mother" story on her website. Do not miss this testimony. Her birth-daughter, Sarah, modeled for the cover of Shadowed in Silk. Take a look at how it all came together—it's well worth the read.

Her blog's tagline is, "Writer of fiction that matters…to give hope, and strengthen faith on the long journey of life."

I asked her about that. Christine said her childhood was far from idyllic, and a series of painful events led to her giving up a daughter for adoption. That's when her surrender to Christ came about.

 "I'm drawn to write fiction that reaches out to people who suffer in these very unattractive situations. I would love it if we could all have storybook romances, but I see so much pain in the people all around me. But having seen what God did in my surrendered life, I write stories that will take that broken woman and spin a story around her that shows what God can do in a surrendered life.

"He really can give back to people the years that the locusts have eaten."

Why is she willing to give COTT space on her blog every other week?

"I find the COTT alliance an energetic group of writers that inspire me. I love the fun and camaraderie with the clashes," she said. "And it gets the word out to readers of all the great Christian fiction that's available. They are a great group of people to be affiliated with. I consider it an honor."

The feeling is entirely mutual, especially given Christine's beautiful purpose statement:

"The only reason I write or speak is to encourage others. Life can be tough at times. But we have a loving Heavenly Father who only wants to embrace us and turn our heartaches into our greatest joys.

"I know this to be true. I'm a walking billboard that He does give us back the years the locusts have eaten."

Christine's blog

Christine's website

Book trailer