Book Review: Forbidden by F. Stone

This is a gripping, page turner!

Forbidden
by F. Stone

File Size: 904 KB
Print Length: 385 pages
Publisher: Romance Under Fire (December 12, 2016)
ASIN: B01N2TNTS5
Genre: Suspense, Romance
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Year 2047, City of Samarra, capital of the Republic of Islamic Provinces & Territories
Fifteen American travelers have vanished. Surrendering to Mayor Aamir's demands, a devout Muslim and police captain becomes the reluctant keeper of his city’s bloody secret – and the witness, Eliza MacKay. Captain Sharif is horrified to discover that if he exposes the cover-up, his family will suffer dire consequences.
The CIA has the lying Sharif in their cross hairs. Sharif’s only hope is to prove his country's government is free of guilt. Secretly, he hunts forensic evidence. Cryptic messages, backstabbing informants, and corruption threaten Sharif’s resolve to see justice served. When he discovers the shocking truth, he and MacKay become the targets of a ruthless killer.
Sharif is tortured by his attraction to the impetuous Eliza MacKay. In spite of her struggle with PTSD, he’s drawn to her vivacious personality. Islam forbids the intimacy he craves. In desperation to save Eliza, Sharif plots an act most forbidden and fatal.

Review:
Eliza, a Canadian paramedic, traveled to the City of Samara to work with an American Habitat team. Eliza struggles with crippling PTSD episodes as she tries to recover from a traumatic loss a few years past. The Habitat convoy is diverted to a police compound where they are massacred. The real police engage the terrorists at the last minute, rescuing a terrified Eliza. Captain Sharif, a devout Muslin, takes Eliza into custody, first to confirm she wasn’t part of the attack and then to keep her safe.

Sharif’s superiors threaten his family if he doesn’t cover-up the killings and silence the sole surviving witness. Sharif struggles to find a way to save Eliza, even acting behind her back. Eliza respects Sharif’s dedication to his faith and to his duties as an officer of the law. She knows that he is trying to protect her but she doesn’t appreciate not being privy to the plans to hide her away.

Sharif is forced to lie to the CIA agent who arrives to find the bodies of the Americans and bring in the killers. Sharif must intensify his efforts to obtain proof of the corruption in his own government as the CIA agent holds him under suspicion.

Sharif and Eliza grow in friendship as they share close spaces and learn of each other’s vulnerabilities. Eliza knows that she does not fit in Sharif’s world and any relationship between them is forbidden. Sharif, who has convinced himself that he is not worthy of love, struggles to maintain his strict code of honor even as he is drawn to the brave, impetuous Eliza. Can they find the strength to acknowledge their love, assuming they can survive the multiplying threats to their freedoms and their very lives?

The plot is wonderfully crafted with well-developed characters, nonstop suspense and a good twist to the ending. The setting and political environment make an effective backdrop and I found the Muslim elements very interesting. Ms. Stone adds to this an improbable but beautiful romance.

The primary characters are real, flawed and courageous. It was natural to root for them to beat the enemy and accept their love for one another. I also liked the secondary characters and would like to read more about all of them. There were some typographical errors but the story is well worth reading. I hope to try more of Ms. Stone’s work very soon. I highly recommend this story to readers who like action packed suspense with romance.

I picked this up in December from a source new to me: Reading Deals. This qualifies for 2017 TBR and “F” in 2017 Alphabet Challenge.

Winners for Double Giveaway, Forbidden and Where Tomorrow Waits

Congratulations to All of these Winners!!!

Two Winners of Forever Romance Contemporary Double "Going Home" books:


Home at Last Chance
by Hope Ramsay

 

Home Sweet Home

by Bella Riley

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Forbidden 

by Ted Dekker

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Where Tomorrow Waits

by Jane Peart

Natalie's Mama, Helen, LuAnn and mamabunny13 ---- ALL WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail the books out or let the Publisher know for mailing.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Book Review and Giveaway: Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

This is an intense tale of emotional rebirth in a "dead" society.
Forbidden (The Book of Mortals) 
by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (September 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599953544
• ISBN-13: 978-1599953540

Genre:  Fantasy
My Rating: 4.75

Product Description

New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker teams with Tosca Lee to create this gripping thriller set in a desolate future.

Many years have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace... and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.

Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love.

But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed.

Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride.

Review: This is a wonderfully gripping read - truly entertaining.

This medieval-type world is full of the living dead...at least they are dead emotionally. About four hundred years ago civilization was destroyed by war. One of the scientists of that day, the  alchemists, decided the best way to control society was to eliminate all emotions except for fear. Fear could be used to control people so there would be a world of peace. They set loose an emotion killing virus and established The Order, the peaceful society with royal families, guards, artisans and slaves, all governed by rules and traditions and controlled by fear.  Anyone who has a defect or illness is sent to a Wellness Center and never returns.  Anyone who disobeys the rules is turned in by others who fear punishment and death.

Rom comes upon an elderly man running from the elite Citadel Guards. The man claims he is a Keeper and that Rom’s own father said that Rom could be trusted. The man thrusts a bundle to Rom and tells him to find The Keeper known as The Book.  Rom watches the guards slaughter the man, then he runs with the bundle. He discovers that the bundle contains a vial of blood and a message regarding ‘true life’.

Rom and three select friends go into hiding. Trying to understand what the blood is about, they each drink a portion and begin to experience the myriad of human emotions that had been lost.  They discover laughter, wonder, anguish and pain.  They begin to realize that with no emotion there is no love; without suffering there is no real pleasure; without tears there is no joy... there is no longing and no hope.  Rom and his companions find themselves “[O]ut of Order, fully human...”

A new royal Sovereign, Feyn, is about to be inaugurated.  Her older brother, Saric, is being fed a blood mixture by The Alchemists who seek power and control.  Saric is full of anger, greed, ambition and obsession.  He plots against his father, the current Sovereign, and against Feyn.

Now the ‘true life’ of mankind is in the hands of Rom's band of rebels, including a cripple boy, Jonathan. Although it seems impossible, Jonathan must become Sovereign to bring life back to people.

I caught the excitement and tension of the story from the beginning and the intensity continued to the end. The story is not necessarily religious but I really liked the Christian allegories that I perceived:  there is betrayal, a procession to royalty, a sacrifice, a promised savior, evil v. good, a need to believe by faith and circumstances working together to bring hope to a dead people.

I hope the next book in the series comes soon!
(I have not read The Circle trilogy but I will have to look into that.)

Thank you to Sarah at Center Street for this book to review. 

USA ONLY GIVEAWAY (due to postage costs - sorry)
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the review copy:

1. Visit Ted Dekker's website and tell me something you found interesting there.
This is required for entry.
You might want to watch the book trailer which is very good.

2.  For an additional entry visit Tosca Lee's Website and tell me something you learned there.

3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two more entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Five total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of the US.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 21, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on October 22 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.