Written — Christine Pope

Their battle for survival becomes a battle for her heart....In the harsh landscape of a world reborn from the ashes of a djinn-created apocalypse, Rowan Aames has carved out a life of solitary resilience in a remote valley in the northern New Mexico wilderness, where the arrival of Jamal al-Qadir challenges everything she knows. Disguised as James Aguilar, Jamal brings with him the promise of a new beginning...and the peril of a deep secret.Their connection is immediate, a fragile thread woven from shared solitude and cautious trust. As Rowan welcomes James into her makeshift haven, they navigate the complexities of a world where survival is a day-to-day gamble, and companionship is a rare treasure. James's small acts of magic, meant to ease Rowan's burden, become the catalyst for a change neither of them can ignore. Yet beneath the surface of their growing bond lies the tension of James's true identity and the inevitable revelation that could shatter their fragile trust. When Jamal steps in to save Rowan's life, a sudden, rash decision propels them into the crosshairs of djinn politics and human pride, where their journey becomes a delicate dance of love and deception, with the future of their relationship hinging on the courage to face the truth...and the strength to forge a new path together.