Forbidden by Feather Stone

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I have received a free e-copy of the book Forbidden by Feather Stone to review. To find out more about the author you may visit her website.

Forbidden by Feather Stone

Here is the book blurb.

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.

The book starts with a couple of flashbacks to 2013 and 2020 to set the scene. We then meet Canadian paramedic Eliza who has just arrived in the Middle East at Samarra airport in RIPT and is waiting for the rest of the volunteer team to arrive from the US. Eliza has suffered with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) for 4 years since being the sole survivor of her family when a tanker crashed into her car.

The team then set off in their bus with a police escort but it is a trap. There is a massacre. Somehow Eliza survives and is then under the police protection of Captain Hashim Sharif. When the Police Chief and Mayor arrive, they insist on a cover-up and Sharif, a devout Muslim, is forced against his will to keep Eliza hidden in his apartment. Over the days they begin to bond.

In his investigations, Sharif discovers that the killers were supposed to have killed him too. But things get worse. With the CIA on their way, Sharif is ordered to execute Eliza, else his family will be in danger. What will Sharif do and who are the killers?

When asked to review this book, I had been initially concerned that it wouldn’t be my kind of thing, as it is set in 2047 and in general, I’m not a huge fan of futuristic reads. But I was proved wrong. I really enjoyed this book.

Forbidden is available on Amazon, currently priced at £9.56 in paperback or £2.40 in Kindle format. A gripping read which had me on the edge of my seat.

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Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

30 thoughts on “Forbidden by Feather Stone”

    2. Feather Stone, Author

      Hi Kate: Thank you for stopping by and checking out Forbidden’s review by mumjd. Forbidden is kind of an odd ball futuristic book. Although the setting is in 2047, the new country has lagged behind in technology due to decades of civil war. As a result the setting is much like our current communication and transportation modes. The citizens of RIPT

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Feather Stone, Author

        Sorry, I hit the wrong button, LOL. As I was saying, the citizens of RIPT use old style cell phones and their vehicles still use gasoline. Their weapons were purchased from USA and Russia’s outdated inventory. The reason I placed the setting 30 years into the future, I wanted to create an Islamic state that is nothing like we see in the media, full of rage and corruption. As I wondered about the possibilities of creating a moderate and peaceful state, it occurred to me that perhaps that wild idea may be possible only if the entire Middle East region joins to form one state, the Republic of Islamic Provinces & Territories. That would require a long process of negotiations, rebuilding of trust, and years of struggle to end the violence. I realized that idea was quite bizarre and, therefore, a fantastic, if not plausible, setting for a suspense/thriller.
        Blessings,
        F. Stone

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Feather Stone, Author

      Hi Sarah: We all know looks can be deceiving. A great book cover can be misleading. What is most important is the story between the covers. I have been so fortunate in finding a gifted book cover designer, and loyal friends and instructors who have helped me nurture my writing talent. During the process of writing Forbidden, it was paramount that readers could identify with each character; having both the good and bad woven into their motives, values, beliefs; Their history, personality, fears, dreams burst into existence. As I move them into the plot, I want to feel they are alive. I can feel them breathing down my neck, cursing me for plunging them into a no-win situation. Sometimes, I’ll even leave it up to the character to figure out how she/he is going to escape or solve the problem. They often have thrilling adventures and surprise me with their cleverness. It requires a writer to put their ego aside, and allow the creative process to take over. Perhaps that’s why I write. It’s an exciting journey that surprises even me as the plot unfolds.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Feather Stone, Author

      Hello shelllouise: Thanks for stopping by and checking out Forbidden’s review. You’d be surprised, perhaps, to know I avoid politics in real life. So while I wrote Forbidden’s story around a government’s corruption, the story is much more about two very different people mired in that challenge and hoping they will escape both the seduction of corruption and survive with their soul’s intact. Or, maybe just survive. If you love suspense/thrillers with a dash of romance full of tension, you just might enjoy Forbidden.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Feather Stone, Author

        Hi Chantelle: As Forbidden’s author, I had to decide if I was going to write Forbidden in the Middle East’s current disastrous climate or get creative. I chose to write the setting as if it was in the not too distant future and the current warfare had been resolved. Naturally when a region is in the midst of immense challenges, they will fall behind in technology. So, although the rest of the world has advanced in 2047, the new Middle East (RIPT) has not had the means financially to catch up. Therefore, while you read Forbidden, it sounds and feels like the kind of world we know today. I hope you give Forbidden a whirl; you can read several chapters for free on Amazon.com. Blessings

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Sarah MumofThree World

    I must say it doesn’t sound like my sort of book, but it’s interesting to hear that you thought you wouldn’t enjoy it and you did! I’m not keen on futuristic/ dystopian novels in general, but there are a few exceptions (particularly The Hunger Games), so maybe I should be brave!

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    1. mumjd Post author

      yes I was expecting there to be loads of futuristic transport, technology, weapons etc, but it was only the political landscape that seemed different

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    2. Feather Stone, Author

      Hi Sarah: I hope you give Forbidden a try. You can read the first few chapters for free at Amazon.com. I wouldn’t classify it as dystopian as there has been no overwhelming catastrophe; at least not more than the terrible loss of life we hear about in Syria. I think you will find the bigger-than-life characters will speak to you and draw you into their passion and determination to rise above the political corruption. Blessings

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Feather Stone, Author

      Hi Tina: Thanks for stopping by and reading MUMJD’s review. I’m very passionate about the characters in Forbidden. I think if you read Forbidden, you will find them fascinating and you may even fall in love with both Captain Sharif and Eliza MacKay. They are two very flawed people who manage to …. well, I must let you discover the rest of that piece. No author wants to spoil the ending for a reader. Blessings F. Stone

      Liked by 1 person

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