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The Saffron Thread
An historical novella based in Egypt and Syria during the Crusades.
Before Saladin conquered Jerusalem, he was a young governor of Egypt who had to deal with Assassins and a torrent of political backstabbing.
Muna is a young slave girl who is befriended by a Turkish doctor, Osman, who becomes her protector. Osman is a pious man, but a slave too, and cannot take Muna as his wife. When they are rescued by a young mercenary, Rayhan, and his band of warriors, Muna is captivated by the young man, and Osman is suspicious and jealous. The young Saladin, on his way to Damascus after its ruler has passed away, intent on conquering the city without shedding any blood, takes on Osman as a physician and Rayhan and his men as warriors. The beautiful Muna comes along, but must soon make a difficult choice: who will win her heart? The pious, timid doctor or the young, firebrand warrior?
While Muna struggles with her heart, Rayhan has a run in with an Assassin who is intent on driving a dagger into Saladin's heart. And the pious doctor, Osman, must deal with Saladin's aide, Nazeem, a power-hungry man who will do anything -- perhaps even betray his master, the Sultan -- to reach his intended goal.
Every dream that appears
brings your face to me;
Every glance at your face
has left its trace with me.
From THE SAFFRON THREAD:
The Turkish doctor, Osman, had named her Leyla. In the beginning she refused his advances even when they were in the guise of kindness. It's true, he was much kinder than most, but even he succumbed to the usual routine of acting as if she were a rare jewel instead of a slave girl. Let her do her work. That's all she wanted. She had always acted out when men tried to bring her into their harem or drag her along with them into their tents. Of course she learned better since defiance would only drive their lust to further and often more aggressive heights. Still, she proved she would not behave and so they threw her in with the old maids to slave away at menial tasks. She tried to cut her hair, but always they would stop her. Even the old maids had tried, but they were beaten by the men. She dearly wanted to be rid of it, for once she removed her hijab, men would suddenly see her differently. Yes, they watched her and admired her face--if only for her large amber eyes, though she thought they made her look like a parrot--but once the veil was off, the blood in men's veins boiled. And Osman, the doctor, was no different.
Before Saladin conquered Jerusalem, he was a young governor of Egypt who had to deal with Assassins and a torrent of political backstabbing.
Muna is a young slave girl who is befriended by a Turkish doctor, Osman, who becomes her protector. Osman is a pious man, but a slave too, and cannot take Muna as his wife. When they are rescued by a young mercenary, Rayhan, and his band of warriors, Muna is captivated by the young man, and Osman is suspicious and jealous. The young Saladin, on his way to Damascus after its ruler has passed away, intent on conquering the city without shedding any blood, takes on Osman as a physician and Rayhan and his men as warriors. The beautiful Muna comes along, but must soon make a difficult choice: who will win her heart? The pious, timid doctor or the young, firebrand warrior?
While Muna struggles with her heart, Rayhan has a run in with an Assassin who is intent on driving a dagger into Saladin's heart. And the pious doctor, Osman, must deal with Saladin's aide, Nazeem, a power-hungry man who will do anything -- perhaps even betray his master, the Sultan -- to reach his intended goal.
Every dream that appears
brings your face to me;
Every glance at your face
has left its trace with me.
From THE SAFFRON THREAD:
The Turkish doctor, Osman, had named her Leyla. In the beginning she refused his advances even when they were in the guise of kindness. It's true, he was much kinder than most, but even he succumbed to the usual routine of acting as if she were a rare jewel instead of a slave girl. Let her do her work. That's all she wanted. She had always acted out when men tried to bring her into their harem or drag her along with them into their tents. Of course she learned better since defiance would only drive their lust to further and often more aggressive heights. Still, she proved she would not behave and so they threw her in with the old maids to slave away at menial tasks. She tried to cut her hair, but always they would stop her. Even the old maids had tried, but they were beaten by the men. She dearly wanted to be rid of it, for once she removed her hijab, men would suddenly see her differently. Yes, they watched her and admired her face--if only for her large amber eyes, though she thought they made her look like a parrot--but once the veil was off, the blood in men's veins boiled. And Osman, the doctor, was no different.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2012
About the author
D.B. Collins
10 booksD.B. Collins was born in the Pacific Northwest in the mid-1970s and currently resides in Toronto, Ontario with his two hyperkinetic sons and persnickety calico cat.
As an avid devourer of tales, he's always enjoyed a good read and continues to pour through books and take in good stories in whatever form they take.
Mr. Collins welcomes all feedback and thanks each and every one of you who've borrowed, previewed, or purchased his books.
Comments or questions? Shoot me a message, and I'll get right on it.
And thank you for reading!
As an avid devourer of tales, he's always enjoyed a good read and continues to pour through books and take in good stories in whatever form they take.
Mr. Collins welcomes all feedback and thanks each and every one of you who've borrowed, previewed, or purchased his books.
Comments or questions? Shoot me a message, and I'll get right on it.
And thank you for reading!
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