In 1996, “Time Was Up” for me when I wrote my first novel, Mirage, about the survival of a woman and her escape from a male-dominated land.

After this novel, I continued to express my thoughts through the voices of strong female protagonists in my next two novels, Nadia’s Song and Mosaic.

Now, I applaud the women who have come out and let their voices be heard directly, women whose actions courageously represent the #metoo movement. It is this recent chain of events that prompted me to republish my three books—as a reminder that not so very long ago, women like me believed, with reason, that their voices would not be heard. My voice spoke only through my books.

In this new day, it is time for women from all walks of life to stand together, become united, and have a voice.

There is a seductive shimmer on the horizon of life.

Within it lies the promise of love, the joy of fulfillment, and the tranquility of peace. Approach it with great care, for it is as fragile as a mirage.

—Layla K.—

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

I want to express my deepest appreciation to Lillian Africano for her hard work in making this book possible. Her motivation and interest, and especially her knowledge of the Arab world, have added immeasurably to this book. Thank you, Lillian—it was really a pleasure working with you.

I’d also like to thank my wonderful family: Adnan, for being a marvelous big brother, protector, and friend; my brother, Adil, for his support and love; my brother, Essam, for his encouragement and enthusiasm; my brother, Amr, for his research and terrific sense of humor; my sister, Assia, for her loving care. I’m fortunate to have you all.

Thanks to all my friends.

My appreciation to Barry, for his encouragement and friendship.

To my agent, Sterling Lord, who helped make this dream come true, my gratitude. And to my editor, Natalia Aponte, my thanks for her support and guidance.

And, finally, to my dear sister-in-law, Layla Khashoggi, who proofread and wrote a lovely quotation, my love and gratitude.

Prologue

Prologue

Boston. The Present

The studio in which Barry Manning taped his radio show—a show that Jenna Sorrel disliked on principle but on which she was to be the guest in an hour—was in a renovated warehouse on Commercial Street, overlooking the Boston Harbor. Jenna had not seen this block in years and was amazed at how gentrified it had become. As she got out of the taxi, she was so taken with the proudly refurbished loveliness of the old buildings that she hardly noticed the blue car slowly passing—or the red-haired man in it looking disinterestedly at her, then turning away.

She’d taken three steps up the sidewalk before she realized that she had seen the man before—that morning, near her favorite bookstore on Newbury Street—and that he had given her the same casual, businesslike glance then.