Blood and Rose

A Novel

Blood and Rose is a story set in India and Canada. It is the thought-provoking and dramatic depiction of a young man named Amir who is caught up with the violence and insurgency in Kashmir, India. The story brings together the village life in the Kashmir Valley, where Amir grew up, the political tension and the military occupation in the region, and the exile period in Canada. Amir arrives in Toronto to stay with his uncle, Sajjad, also a refugee from Kashmir, who becomes an alcoholic out of frustration and anger. He abuses Amir and makes him work long hours in his convenience store in Toronto. Amir, though grateful to him, has other ambitions. He becomes a graduate student in political science and catches the eyes of a young professor Celia McKinnon. Celia falls in love with him but is unable to tell him because Amir suddenly travels to Kashmir to see his sick mother, where he is caught in an illegal demonstration and is thrown in the military prison in Jheel. Celia McKinnon, an authority in international law, goes to Kashmir to defend Amir. Her arrival in Kashmir marks the beginning of a game of intrigue, love, treachery, and deception. She has to negotiate Amirs release with General Pawar, the dictator who rules with an iron fist. What compromises will he make? The last thing he wanted was Amirs release. Old scores have to be settled.