Release date: September 1st 2013
Publisher: Escape Publishing
Purchase: Amazon
A turbulent, emotionally charged YA novel that breaks down barriers and challenges the status quo...
Angry, seventeen-year-old Iraqi war refugee Mirriam Yohanna hates her new life in Killeen, Texas, where the main attraction is a military base, populated with spoiled army brats like Caleb Miller.
Caleb has much to be angry about too, including Mirriam who turns him down flat in front of everyone. Eager for retribution, Caleb agrees to a dare that will see him take Mirriam to the prom and regain his pride.
But their relationship soon moves beyond high school antics. Mirriam and Caleb are bound together by more than location, and as they are forced to work closely together on a school assignment, they start to uncover an explosive story that has the potential to ruin lives — and both of their futures. One single truth changes everything and strengthens their bond.
When Mirriam's family discovers their relationship, they decide it's time to arrange her marriage to a proper Iraqi man. Caleb must convince Mirriam that he is in it for forever — or risk losing her for good.
Some things happen for a reason.
Mirriam Yohanna was forced to flee
to the US when the war in Iraq started. Now a refugee in Killeen, Texas where a
military base is situated and being surrounded by military brats – her life was
anything but nice. She missed her home, her father whom she lost before they
left the country and her old life.
Here’s Caleb – he’s the ultimate
American heartthrob. No girls can say no to him – except Mirriam that it. Out
of revenge, Caleb agrees to a dare with his friends that he could have Mirriam
as a date for the prom. But talking to her proves to be a difficult task, what
more to ask her out? It would be herculean!
Caleb didn’t have to worry long
though, because a school project allowed them to work together closely.
However, a simple high school project turned out to be something more when
secrets are unearthed – secrets that not just change their lives but the lives
around them as well. As they start to learn the truth and find justice, they
grow closer and closer to each other. And Mirriam did what she thought she
couldn’t – she fell in love with a white American, an army brat at that.
But when Mirriam’s brother and
mother discovered their relationship, they had her marriage arrange right after
she will receive her diploma. With this, Caleb must convince Mirriam that she
is ‘it’ for him and what they have is worth the risk or he may just lose her
forever.
Caleb is an amazing character, he’s
brave and determined. He knew it was close to impossible, but he did it anyway.
He went against something big, something stronger, and something with power –
but with great persistent and courage, he found a way to beat it.
I enjoyed reading this novel. I can’t
believe I finished it in one sitting- but I did. A Missing Peace is more than
just your ordinary love story. It delves into a controversy that is often
happening but rarely recognized by a lot of individuals, especially those
departments that are concern. I love the plot, the characters, especially how
it ended. The epilogue was just perfect. Indeed, some things, even the bad and
painful ones happen for a reason. Love can move mountains, can cross barriers and
make anything possible.
Rating:
Mirriam
Captain America behind me was so annoying. He was six feet of muscle. With a chiseled jaw and a small dimple on the left of his face, he was cute enough. If you were into All-American guys which I wasn’t.
When my eyes connected to his golden brown teddy bear eyes, a wave of déjà vu washed over me.
“Where are you from?” he asked like he was shocked I didn’t answer him in Spanish.
It was probably better to be hit on by annoying guys than immediately made an outcast, but he’d assumed I was Mexican. He called me beautiful and he knew nothing about me. I hated guys like that. For once, I wished my older brother Abrahem, was with me.
I sized him and his band of All-American boys up, a group of buzz cut guys in khakis with tucked in shirts. No barbells sticking through their faces anywhere. None of the ink stains that were so “cool” in America ran down their arms. These were decent guys. It disgusted me that decent guys here could walk up to a girl they’d never seen before and instantly turn her into an object. For a moment, I missed home even more than I did every second of every day.
Paintings were beautiful. People had depth, or at least I did.
“Where am I from? The birthplace of humanity.” I turned away from him again. “Zmal,” I spat the word out. No way did any of the boys behind me knew what I said, so my tone must have been enough because two or three of them laughed wildly and another one said, “Smooth, Caleb. Way to go.”
“Where exactly is the birthplace of humanity, and what are you so bent out of shape about?”
“Hmm. Maybe, it’s frustrating that someone would approach me in Spanish. Every brown person in the world is Mexican, right?”
“I’m sorry. It is Texas. It’s usually a safe assumption.”
“And why would you walk up to a girl you don’t know and call her beautiful? It’s so disrespectful, not to mention cheesy.”
The guys beside him laughed. I glared at them with raised brows, and the tallest of the three held up his hands. “Sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too,” All-American Boy said. “But where exactly is the birthplace of humanity?”
I stared at the floor for a minute or two. I wasn’t embarrassed of where I came from, and people were going to find out sooner or later. But once they knew, life would be harder. It was an army town. Ommy must have been trying to get us killed when she moved us here.
I looked up at him. “Mesopotamia.”
“Where is that?”
Might as well get it out. “Iraq.”
Meet Beth Fred! A full time ELF keeper and part time writer/blogger/writing instructor. Beth likes her tea hot, her romance sweet, and her guys chivalrous. Real men hold open doors, refer to you as ma'am, make promises they keep, and aren't afraid to profess their undying love. It's not breakfast if there aren't carbs (at least, not in the South). Fajitas, carnitas, and churros are just a few ofBeth's favorite things. Bet you can't guess where she's from.
Thank you for the review and I'm glad you liked it.
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