Crossing Divides

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.

This is really touching and beautiful book. Carter is a newspaper reporter who goes to Syria to find the story about the conflict that is destroying the country. He is there with Jalal , Nemat and the freedom fighters. Carter has been war correspondent for a while, but this time is different. He knows is wrong to be looking at Nemat the way he wants and more in the middle of the war. Nemat and Carter have a couple of encounters but they have to be brief and extremely careful. It could cost Nemat his life if discover. Carter needs to return to the USA ... He leaves Nemat and his family behind. Carter finally realizes that he needs to confess the truth to his family. Also through his good friend , Joan , he realized he needs to go back to Syria and try to find Nemat. After Carter gets back in the country and learns the tragedy of what became of Nemat's family , things changed. Carter bargains and reality touch them both. The happiness came but not with a price ... A really high one ...

Crossing Divides is the newest novel by Andrew Grey and OMG, I’m not sure where to start with this review. As you can tell from the blurb above, this story is filled with love, loss, action, politics, rebels, and suspense. Carter is a journalist who decides the best way to report on the civil war in Syria is to travel along with a group of freedom fighters.
Actually, that’s how the story starts and where the problems for Carter begin. Nemat is the younger brother of the band’s leader, but with how the country and predominate religion view homosexuality, their budding interest / relationship is not just forbidden, it could land them both with bullets from their own side, much less the governments. As the story progresses, you aren’t just watching the story unfold, you’re right there with these two men, suffering cold, separation, and danger.
This story may very well be Andrew’s best ever. It’s written with such heart and depth it’s hard to move beyond the story even once you finish the last page. The characters and world are so rich, you feel like it’s you falling in love, dodging bullets, and fighting for love, instead of creations of an author.
This is my MUST READ of 2013 and heartily recommend to all who enjoy engaging stories, passionate hearts, and inspired HEA’s. Oh, and you get to see the MC’s from In Search of a Story and their son.