Veil of Silence by K’Anne MeinelVeil of Silence by K’Anne Meinel is a story about surviving under harsh circumstances and the healing power of unconditional love that comes from the families we choose.

Lieutenant Marsha Gagliano vanished without a trace after her helicopter went down in the rocky mountains of Afghanistan. After five years of no news of Marsha’s whereabouts, her wife is contemplating whether she should let go and move on with her life. In a simple twist of faith, a woman dressed in a burqa with two small children in tow turn up at the American embassy in Kabul and she claims to be the missing Lieutenant Marsha Gagliano. Speculations and suspicions run wild as the army tries to piece together the missing links in regard to her disappearance and sudden reappearance. Marsha is fearful of what the army will think of her, and her worries consume her as she wonders if the army will accuse her of being a traitor to her country. She is also afraid of her wife’s reaction to her and her children. Fear envelops her in the precarious position she is in as she wonders if her wife has waited for her or is it already too late. Did her wife move on to love another?

The Characters

Marsha’s plight touched me so deeply but what touched me even more was Marsha’s quiet strength and resilience that took her through the depravity of being a captive.  Despite her fear of recapture and certain death, Marsha still dared greatly by taking a chance to escape her captors. I couldn’t help but love her as I watched her struggle against crippling inner turmoil while she tries to rebuild her life once more.

What is there not to love about Heather? If Heather was a flesh and blood woman I would marry her myself but unfortunately, she’s a fictional character (not to mention a very married fictional character) so I can only love her on print. I must say that Marsha is one very lucky woman to have a gem like Heather for a wife. Heather’s loving, compassionate, generous nature and huge heart made it so easy for me to love and adore her.

The Writing Style

K’Anne Meinel weaved a story that really pierced my heart to the core and hijacked my emotions. This riveting book is a fast paced, action packed story with an air of mystery that flows seamlessly from one scenario to another. Without a doubt, this author knows how to craft engaging and intriguing stories such as this one. This story is so unique in its uncensored portrayal of military life for LGBT people, life in captivity and the repercussions of captivity.

The Pros

This story displays a very realistic view of life for a soldier and I appreciated the frank portrayal of family life for LGBT people who serve their country and the impact that their service has on their families. I for one just love a great story where the main characters overcome their trials whether those trials are internal or external. This book surely had me jumping for joy (I was at home when I was jumping so no one from the office saw me) and cheering for Marsha as she faced each complication in her life head-on.

The Cons

This story is definitely not for the faint of heart. Incidents of rape and battery are frequently mentioned as well as graphic descriptions of murder.

The Conclusion

As soon as I began to read this book I was practically anchored to my seat. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what happened next. This story certainly kept me on the edge with a few unforeseen twists and turns within the plot. Veil of Silence is one story that will surely stay with you for a long while after reading it but I can assure you it is so worth the read.

Excerpt from Veil of Silence by K’Anne Meinel

She approached the guards and smiled, but this goodwill gesture was hidden by the chador she was wearing a black veil across the lower half of her face. Comprehending their increasingly alarmed looks at her presence, she realized her mistake. Taking her hand from the back of the older child she was shepherding, she held her hand wide and slowly reached for her face so they wouldn’t misconstrue her gesture as she pulled the cloth down to reveal her face. She smiled tremulously as she cleared her throat.

“I am Lieutenant Marsha Gagliano. I’ve been held captive for years. I am an American citizen and I demand refuge in the embassy,” she stated, almost afraid to talk. She glanced around once more, her hand returning to the shoulder of the young child by her side.

“Ma’am?” the guard questioned her, disbelieving. This woman didn’t look like an American with the full-length burqa she was wearing; however, her accent was decidedly American, nothing like the natives who learned English out of necessity.

“Please,” she pleaded. “I’m certain they are following me. They will take me back! They will take my children from me! They will kill me this time…”

“Do you have any identification-” he began, but she interrupted him.

“Of course I don’t,” she stated angrily, looking around at the faces passing by, some curious, some minding their own business. “Weren’t you listening? I’ve been held captive. I am Lieutenant Marsha Gagliano,” she repeated, looking disparagingly at the insignia on the private’s upper arm, trying to intimidate him into believing her. “I am a lieutenant in the United States Army and I demand that you take me inside.”

“Ma’am, we can’t let…” he began, unsure of what to do.

“Come this way,” the other guard offered, believing her. If all else failed, they would throw her out if her story proved false. He gestured to her with his arm out, showing her into the gates, which another guard began to open as he escorted her. Once beyond the gates and on American soil, she breathed a sigh of relief. The tension in her shoulders immediately drained away as she shuffled along, still pushing the two children forward.

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Bits and Bobs

ISBN number: 9781534909533

Publisher: Shadoe Publishing

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Note: I received a free review copy of Veil of Silence by K’Anne Meinel. No money was exchanged for this review. I will always review books as honestly as possible and on occasion, I refuse to review books.