by Grace Austin
Leda, a retired American physician, joins her friend Aliyah to work in a refugee camp in the Middle East despite warnings from her husband. After observing conditions under Israeli control she becomes overpowered by a sense of injustice. Talib, a younger, handsome Egyptian physician seduces her and begs her to be an avenging angel for his downtrodden people. Her psychological turmoil plays out in Arizona, Florida and Maine. Her plans include lavish fundraisers at her estate in Connecticut, ingratiating herself into the highest levels of government in Washington DC. In Paris she concludes her plans for terror in Manhattan. The fate of an unlikely terrorist reveals itself in Leda’s psychological choices to sacrifice everything for the good of the Palestinian people.
“The issue of human rights, the line between terrorist and freedom fighter is blurred spectacularly by Leda’s incredible journey in which it is easy to see what lies on both sides of the coin.” K.C. Finn for Reader’s Favorite
“Brilliant story. It is an interesting mix of relationships, politics, terrorist activity, and trust. I found myself horrified at some of her choices, while completely understanding why she reaches critical decisions.” Patricia Day for Reader’s Favorite
“It is one of the most up to the minute books I have read in a long while. It gives some insight into what may go through the minds of some people who become radicalized and what drives them.” Anne-Marie Reynolds for Reader’s Choice
“In Leda, we meet a woman who strays from her way to become a deadly terrorist with an agenda that is spine tingling and terrifying. The protagonist is also kind of an antagonist at the same time – it was an interesting dichotomy that kept me turning pages despite my trepidation as to how this would end.” Judge, 23rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
“I loved the psychological development of Leda’s character – from an old, wealthy American woman, who as a member of the Conservative Club rubs shoulders with dignitaries and politicians – to a radicalized terrorist. It proves how little it takes for a human mind to shift from point A to point B.” Ica Iova for Reader’s Favorite