Forbidden
F. Stone, Leigh Carter
Paperback
(Library and Archives Canada, Jan. 29, 2017)
Hashim Sharif is a man who has grown hard and cold while battling criminals. His reputation and his flak jacket have kept him alive while policing the dark alleys in the new Middle East's capital, the City of Samarra. Separated from his family, Hashim Sharif's life is becoming unbearable. His faith in God's word keeps him from succumbing to the influence of his corrupt superiors.Eliza MacKay is a woman suffering from mental illness - PTSD. Her entire family died horribly in a highway car accident. She is tormented with guilt. Constantly trying to avoid triggers that plunge into an abyss of madness, she has all but given up.Eliza dove into her life-long interest in the Middle East. She studied Arabic and Islam. After signing up to work with Habitat for Humanity, she is presented with a chance to live again. Assigned to work in a farming community with a group of Habitat volunteers, Eliza sets off for the City of Samarra.Eliza's desire for peace runs head on into Sharif’s struggle to survive corruption. His superiors test his loyalty. Sharif is forced to cover-up a crime, a great dishonor for a respected police officer. When receiving the order to eliminate Eliza, he’s confronted with a no-win conundrum. Follow God’s law of protecting women. If he fails his superiors, he will be buried alive in the desert. Surrender to his superiors' demands - God will damn his soul. The CIA confronts the lying Sharif. He's eager to avenge the death of the Americans. Agent Frank is going to have to wait in line. A government hit man has Sharif in his sites.He discovers he has an ally. Eliza. He hopes her PTSD won’t get both of them killed. Twice he’s had to rescue the impetuous and head strong woman. He’s drawn to her. In spite of his rigid adherence to rules, she manages to see his humanity. It is becoming difficult to maintain his distances in her company.Sharif and Eliza are hunted. From the grand government halls, to the Guardian Mosque, and into mountain caves, they look for escape. When Sharif's children are abducted, he stops running. Desperate to put an end to the lies, he plots retaliation. His plan is most forbidden and probably fatal. His last hope? Get Eliza out of Samarra.