Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for A Kiss in Kashmir, A Timeless Tale of Love, by Monica Saigal. This is a beautiful story of love, loss, family, second chances and going home.

A Kiss in Kashmir (A Timeless Tale of Love) by Monica Saigal

Published February 14th 2024 by Bodes Well Publishing

About the Book: Sharmila, a painter entering the autumn of her life, had gently set aside hopes of love after a heart-wrenching loss. In Kashmir to orchestrate her daughter Alina’s wedding, Sharmila never anticipated that the universe was crafting a different plan—one of second chances and unexpected love. She crosses paths with George, a professor of Indian art history and a kindred spirit bearing the weight of lost love. Together, they explore Kashmir’s lush valleys, snow-draped mountains, clear lakes, and ancient shrines. A fragile romance quietly blossoms, gently guiding their hearts toward a future neither dared to dream of. Is it possible for a single glance to kindle a connection, or for one to find a soulmate twice? Yet, as their burgeoning love blooms, a startling revelation threatens to cut their story short. With the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir as its canvas, “A Kiss in Kashmir” is a touching story of love, loss, and second chances.

5 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Kiss in Kashmir is a love story to the Kashmir region of India, it’s cultural treasures, beautiful settings and customs. Sharmila was a young painter from an affluent family who falls in love with her painting instructor. They want to marry, so Vikram heads home to Srinagar to tell his family. He gets caught up in an uprising and is shot. Sharmila never sees him again. Sharmila is pregnant, so her parents banish her to their home in the US, where she has her baby and never sees her parents again. Her daughter, Alina, is getting married, and Sharmila wants her to marry in Srinagar. They head over to meet with a wedding planner to set up a spring wedding. Things happen, and they end up being shown around by George, a retired American Professor, who is widowed and now living on his father-in-law’s houseboat in Srinagar. Neither Sharmila or George are looking for romance, but sometimes, it comes looking for you.

A Kiss In Kashmir transported me to India, to the Kashmir region. It was part travelogue, part food story, has some historical aspects, family drama and romance. This was armchair travel at its best. I never wanted to visit India before, but would love to visit the areas mentioned in this book. I loved Sharmila’s character. Her role in life was to be Alina’s mother, and she had forfeited any romance or love, being true to Vikram. It was wonderful to see her open up when she returned to India, especially to see the places that Vikram has shared in his stories. George is another character that had the love of his life and although he missed her, he was happy to live alone. The relationship was relatively quick, but their feelings seemed so real. Alina was a great daughter. Although she had never met her father, Sharmila had kept him alive for her, and I though her agreeing to marry in Srinagar was wonderful. There were times I got frustrated with her actions and words, but that is life and relationships. This is a love story, balanced by art, history, culture and family. I really enjoyed this story and recommend it to those who enjoy stories with different cultures.

Purchase Links: Amazon (US) – Amazon (UK) – Kobo

About the Author: Equal parts storyteller and globe-trotter, Monica Saigal (Bhide), is an award-winning author, accomplished literary coach, and educator who transcends countless borders—chronological, geographical, religious, and economical—to inspire her readers. Born in New Delhi, raised in the Middle East, and now residing outside Washington, D.C., she currently serves as a corporate storyteller for one of the world’s leading professional services companies.

Monica writes in a variety of genres and has written best-selling short story collections and heartwarming love stories, as well as acclaimed memoirs and cookbooks—Eat Your Books chose Monica’s memoir, A Life of Spice as one of the top five food memoirs of 2015 and Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi picked Monica’s Modern Spice as one of the “Best Books Ever” for Newsweek in 2009. Her novel, Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken, is a book club favorite and inspired the NPR café in Washington, D.C., to serve up creations inspired by her protagonist chef. Her much anticipated upcoming novel, A Kiss in Kashmir was released in February 2024.

Social Media Links – Website – Twitter/X – Facebook – Instagram