Forbidden Love Series by Negeen Papehn

Sara knows her life would be easier if she married a man of her faith, but when has love ever been easy? Raised by her immigrant Iranian parents, Sara has been taught that a good daughter makes decisions based on her family’s approval, and she’s spent most of her life in their good graces. Until she meets Maziar, and her world is turned upside down. An instant electricity ignites between them, and it seems like fate when she discovers he’s also Iranian... moreSara knows her life would be easier if she married a man of her faith, but when has love ever been easy? Raised by her immigrant Iranian parents, Sara has been taught that a good daughter makes decisions based on her family’s approval, and she’s spent most of her life in their good graces. Until she meets Maziar, and her world is turned upside down. An instant electricity ignites between them, and it seems like fate when she discovers he’s also Iranian. Just as her mind begins to soar with the possibilities, he shatters her hopes. Sara is Muslim. Maziar is Jewish. Will faith tear them apart? Despite centuries of unrest behind them, Sara and Maziar embark on a forbidden love affair, attempting to navigate through cultural and religious prejudices. Deep within the trenches of their battle, Sara finds herself more empowered and careless than ever before, but will her love and newfound life be worth the ultimate cost—her family? "Forbidden by Faith shows how family, love, and faith can collide, even in this modern age." - Romance Author, A. K. Leigh ★★★★★ AUTHOR INTERVIEW Q: Why do you write? A: Writing has provided a pathway for me to find myself again, years after I lost sight of who I used to be. When adulthood and motherhood responsibilities caused me to disappear into the background of my own life, writing shined a light that helped me find a way back to that creative woman I was in my youth. It’s almost therapeutic. When I was younger, I wrote songs, poetry, and even tried my hand at a novel. But as I got older, time to write was scarce, and life became more demanding. It was difficult to focus on myself. Picking up the pen again, after all these years, has reenergized me. Writing novels has become the one thing in my world that belongs to only me. I pour myself into my characters, and weave together stories that I can get lost in, providing an escape from reality, if only for a moment. Q: What books do you write? A: I write Contemporary Romance. I love stories about falling in love, heartbreak, and betrayal. When I write my novels, I try to make them real and raw. My characters are full of flaws, and they make all the wrong choices. Because the truth is, that’s real life. People can be emotional and selfish, we can hurt others and be hurt, and be tortured with regret. I love to encompass that reality in the stories I create, showing the ripple effect of choices as they unfold, and the satisfaction of finding true love at the end. FORBIDDEN LOVE FORBIDDEN BY FAITH (book 1) FORBIDDEN BY DESTINY (book 2) FORBIDDEN BY TIME (book 3) Q: Why should readers pick up your books? A: The Forbidden Love series is a deeply emotional journey of self-discovery. Full of heartbreak and betrayal, all three books navigate through the joys of new love, and the fallout from when that love bends and breaks relationships. The main characters are young Iranian American women, who are not only trying to find themselves in a diverse world, but are balancing the overbearing family obligations which tie them down, and ultimately, make them question their decisions. Their struggles are endless, and at times, life-changing. less

Leyla had never known what it felt like to fall in love. Not until her best friend Sara broke Ben’s heart.  After the devastating break up, Leyla reluctantly agreed to pick up Sara's things from Ben's home. Leyla thought she was being a good friend, but when she finds Ben completely shattered, her loyalties are tested. He had been her friend too. An afternoon of an innocent lunch and a walk on the beach to cheer him up turns into fireworks when Leyla can't get Ben out of her head... moreLeyla had never known what it felt like to fall in love. Not until her best friend Sara broke Ben’s heart.  After the devastating break up, Leyla reluctantly agreed to pick up Sara's things from Ben's home. Leyla thought she was being a good friend, but when she finds Ben completely shattered, her loyalties are tested. He had been her friend too. An afternoon of an innocent lunch and a walk on the beach to cheer him up turns into fireworks when Leyla can't get Ben out of her head. Pushed to her limits, fighting for a love she’s always dreamed of, and against a demon she never knew existed, Leyla must ultimately make a choice. Her decision will come down to loyalty to her best friend, the expectations of her family, or the desires of her wanting heart. Is love worth taking the risk? FORBIDDEN LOVE FORBIDDEN BY FAITH (book 1) FORBIDDEN BY DESTINY (book 2) FORBIDDEN BY TIME (book 3) less

When love blossoms from the unexpected will the years between separate them forever? On the outside, Bita appears to have it all under control. She’s a no-nonsense, strong-willed, force to be reckoned with. On the inside, though, she’s spent most of her life dealing with her pushy Iranian mother, ever concerned father, and overbearing younger brother. But that’s all about to change. Bita is determined to stand on her own two feet... moreWhen love blossoms from the unexpected will the years between separate them forever? On the outside, Bita appears to have it all under control. She’s a no-nonsense, strong-willed, force to be reckoned with. On the inside, though, she’s spent most of her life dealing with her pushy Iranian mother, ever concerned father, and overbearing younger brother. But that’s all about to change. Bita is determined to stand on her own two feet. She’s purchasing her first home, and ultimately, her independence. When Bita meets Ramtin, the sexy, older real estate agent, she gets more than she ever imagined. What was meant to be a simple property transaction, blooms into a fierce desire that leaves her breathless. Now they must make their relationship work despite their fifteen-year age gap, and interference from their traditional families. Ramtin is everything she never knew she wanted, that is, until something unexpected becomes an all-or-nothing deal-breaker, and Ramtin may not be all in. Bita must decide what’s worth fighting for and if Ramtin is worth the final risk...losing her heart. less