Title: Forbidden
Age and Genre: Adult, Crime / Suspense /
Romance
Word Count: 100,000
Query:
Forbidden will grab and
hurl you into a plot full of treachery and passion.
Screams of terror and
gunfire echo within the walls of a compound. The horrific massacre of fifteen
Americans forces two government officers of The Republic of Islamic Provinces
and Territories to cover-up the truth. They thrust the task into the hands of a
ruthless police captain, Hashim Sharif. His corrupt superiors’ rules are
simple. Maintain silence, or his family will suffer dire consequences.
He cannot bear lowering
his ethics to become the same gutter vermin he hunts in Samarra’s dark streets.
And yet, if his loyalty is questioned, an unmarked grave awaits him in the desert.
He fears justice may never be served. Even so, he cannot commit an act most
forbidden – treason. His family’s honor would be forever lost.
Within a week, his
nightmare plunges into a bottomless pit. To maintain the cover-up, he must
dispose of the one witness – Eliza MacKay. Murder of innocents?
Unthinkable.He keeps her
out of sight inside his apartment, risking the wrath of Allah. While
searching for evidence of the killer’s identity, Sharif and MacKay struggle to
survive. Hit men, the CIA, and his government have them in their cross
hairs. When his children are kidnapped, Sharif becomes the beast his
enemies dread.
Sharif and MacKay dodge
traps and their mutual attraction. Given her PTSD, he cannot trust her. A
strangle hold over his desires for the pretty woman becomes his greatest
challenge. If escape is possible, love will only get in the way. Or will it
save them?
Target Audience: This
crime, suspense romance novel will be enjoyed by readers who favor espionage
novels with international intrigue, and multi-cultural themes.
Forbidden’s twisting plot
and fully fleshed out characters are unforgettable. Other target audiences will
include Muslims and those interested in Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder. Muslims will appreciate the accuracy of the references to
moderate Islam.
First 250 Words
Bird With a Broken Wing
Eliza fidgeted with her
hijab. Excited Arabic voices echoed throughout Samarra’s busy airport. The
arrivals terminal barely contained the hundreds of visitors waiting for the
arrival of the next flight.
She stared at the airport
arrivals app on her cell phone. ‘United Air 719 – DELAYED’.Friggin’
hell, they’re an hour late. As she gazed at ‘DELAYED’, a vision blocked out
the surrounding clamor. Screams, bloodied bodies, and flames in a dark void
engulfed her with waves of horror. Her hand shot up to her mouth, barely
containing a shriek. Stop it, just friggin’ stop it! The
premonition urged her to run. Get out of RIPT on the next plane.
“Breathe,” she whispered.
She inhaled and exhaled with calm deliberation. “Again.” She shivered as the
graphic scene faded. Thank God I can control these annoying visions.
Whoever said that being a seer is a gift was delusional. Now, if I could manage
my PTSD psychosis as easily, I might get my life back.
Her feet ached from
wandering through the airport shops for the last five hours. “It’s
almost nine. The airport will be closed in another two hours. What the hell
happened to the Americans? A man rushing by bumped into her and nearly
tripped over her suitcase. He turned toward her and glared.
“Laanah aleiky,” he
growled in Arabic.
She squared her shoulders
and turned away. Damn you, too. She adjusted her head scarf
and smiled confidently at nearby women.
They stepped away from her.
*****
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