Carter Hopkins is on a mission. He has already written about the conflict in Syria, but is determined to go even deeper. With his editor's help, he joins a band of freedom fighters led by Jalal. But it is Jalal's brother, Nemat, who draws Carter's attention. Nemat has left the family olive grove to join his brother in fighting the Syrian government in Aleppo. When Carter saves his life and is declared an honorary member of the family, Nemat couldn't be happier, even though he knows his family will never understand his true interest in Carter. Carter and Nemat say their goodbyes after the end of the assignment. Carter's stories garner a lot of attention, but he can't stop thinking of the man he left behind. Then rumors of the use of chemical weapons give Carter another chance at a story, and he jumps at it. But much has changed in Syria, and any chance of getting Nemat out of harm's way seems more impossible than ever.
I think what I loved most about this novel wasn't the romance, as hot and consuming as it was, what dragged me in and wouldn't let me go was the realism. Touching on a sensitive issue like Syria's living conditions and religious practices was a bold move... and it paid off.
