The Accidental Iraqi

About the Book

Just outside of Baghdad, an Iraqi medical student rescues a seriously injured American soldier. Although Zaina Melehy has conflicted feelings about saving one of her country’s occupiers, she still brings Major Anthony Aroyan to her physician father for treatment. Because she is unsure of how her father will receive an American soldier, she disguises Anthony as an Iraqi peasant and instructs him to remain silent. Zaina and her family have been embittered by the American occupation and the brutal rape and murder of Zaina’s sister at the hands of men employed by a shadowy American security contractor. As Anthony struggles to recover and maintain his vow of silence, he and Zaina fall in love, aggravating Zaina’s fundamentalist brother who wants Anthony out of all their lives in order to restore the family honor. As Zaina navigates opposing feelings of love and resentment, Anthony tries to right some of the wrongs of the occupation, all while maintaining his honor to his country. Now only time will tell if both will find the courage and understanding to create a bridge for their love to cross. In this compelling love story, two people from different cultures thrown together by fate in war-torn Iraq must make life-changing sacrifices to stay together—but at what cost?

About the Author

Kamila Kashgari is a poet and student at the First Zen Institute of America. She writes with a powerful and unique voice about peace and love, both temporal and universal. Kamila lives in New York City where she enjoys nature, meditation, cooking, and taking long walks.