Contemporary Authors

• Forbidden by Faith - 2018 City Owl Press, New York, NY

• Negeen Papehn Home Page - http://www.negeenpapehn.com/

  Negeen Papehn was born and raised in southern California, where she currently lives with her husband and two rambunctious boys. She wasn’t always a writer. A graduate of USC dental school, Negeen spends half of her week with patients and the other half in front of her laptop. In the little time she finds in between, she loves to play with her boys, go wine tasting with her friends, throw parties, and relax with her family.

• Maddison Michaels - http://maddisonmichaels.com/interview-with-negeen-papehn/

  Interview with Negeen Papehn
  Negeen’s Path to Publication

  Today I chat with the lovely Negeen Papehn, the debut author of ‘Forbidden By Faith’, who shares with us her path to publication. Her debut ‘Forbidden By Faith’ is scheduled for release on February 20th 2018!

  Born and raised in California, Negeen spends half her week dreaming up stories between lovers and the other half as a dentist. FORBIDDEN BY FAITH, set in Los Angeles, is a Contemporary Romance that encompasses the journey of self-discovery, while battling family and cultural expectations, in the name of true love.

  Hi Negeen, I’m so excited to have you on my blog, and thank you so much for sharing your ‘Path to Publication’ experience with us all. I know so many of my readers will love to hear about how you went from an aspiring author to a published one, and many will gather inspiration from the journey!

  Thanks Maddison! I’m very excited to be here with all of you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story.

  How long have you been writing for?
  I’ve been writing in some form since I was a teenager. Back then, I wrote a lot of poetry and even a handful of original songs. But the novel writing is relatively new. I started about four years ago.

  How long did it take you from when you started writing, to when you became a published (or soon to be) published author?
  It took me a year to finish my first novel then another year to find representation. By the time the book is released in February, it will be almost three years, start to finish.

  Where do you write from, home, office, coffee shop, etc? And do you have any pre-writing or actual writing rituals (such as lighting a candle, listening to music, etc)?
  I literally write everywhere! I never have mapped out writing time, but rather, I write in small sprints. Usually thirty minutes to an hour before an interruption, if I’m lucky. So wherever I am and I can get a moment to write, I do. But mostly, you’ll find me at my desk in the spare bedroom or the dining room table if I’m at home, at my desk in my office if I’m at work, or at the local coffee shop. No matter where I am, though, I always have my headphones in and music blasting. It’s the only way I can block out the world around me. And it also helps set the mood for the scene, so I strategically pick the playlist.

  Are you a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in-between?
  I am a pantser to a fault. I wish I was a plotter. I’ve tried to write it all out, create a step-by-step outline, but once I start writing, the story changes course and veers off in directions I wasn’t anticipating. The problem that arises with that is that I get stuck a lot, trying to plot my way out of a hole I’ve written myself into, LOL.

  What is your favourite part of the writing process?
  My favorite part of the writing process is when my manuscript is ready for the first round of beta readers. I love sharing my work with people. Hearing their reactions and listening to their responses is my drug of choice. I just love picking their brains! And it doesn’t have to just be praise. I welcome their constructive criticism as well. Makes the story better, and makes me a better writer.

  What is the most important part of a novel to you: plot, characters, or setting?
  Definitely characters. In my opinion, they’re what create the story. If they are complicated, emotional, raw, and real, you could have any plot or any setting and your readers will still be invested. Or at least that’s how I feel.

  Describe your writing routine (how long do you spending plotting the novel, time spent writing, editing, submitting it):
  Hmmm….I don’t have this down to an exact science yet. I spend the least amount of time plotting, which may be one of my weakness, truthfully. Reason why I end up lost at times and stuck on the storyline. It usually takes me a week or so to work out the basics on the plot.

  I’ve written two full novels so far and am on my third. I’d say on average it takes me anywhere from 8-12 months to write the first draft.

  Editing is the longest of the processes and most complicated for me. I usually have my critique partners reading along with me as I write, and edit throughout the process. Then once the first draft is completely done, I do a read through myself and try to catch any plot holes/issues I may have missed. Then I give it to the first round of betas. I take their feedback and make changes based on what I see fit. Then another round of new betas. Last read through on my end and edits. Then I’m ready to submit.

  I’ve only submitted one novel so far. The entire submission process took around six months. I sent it to about 20 agents/editors. The first response came about a month later. Some were outright rejections, others requested fulls. Took another few months before I heard anything from those. In April of 2016, City Owl Press made me an offer.

  How many books a year do you usually write (or are you aiming to write):
  I write one book a year. I’m usually editing the book from the previous year simultaneously. I’d really like to be able to have two manuscripts completed in a year, at some point.

  How did you get your agent, or your publishing contract (if applicable)?
  I came across City Owl Press one night after the sting of the most recent round of rejections was fresh, and the wine wasn’t helping, LOL. I started researching agents and publishers to gather a new set of people to send submissions out to and came across their site. I liked what I saw and sent my submission late that evening. A few weeks later, my editor Amanda reached out and asked for a full MS. A few months passed and I didn’t hear anything. I’d given up hope. One morning, as I was getting ready for work, an email popped up on my phone screen. I took the ever dreaded deep breath to prepare myself for yet another “thanks but no thanks,” but when I opened it, her first line read, “Sorry it took me so long to get back to you but I have good news, City Owl Press would like to publish your novel!” I just started screaming from the bathroom, which brought my husband running because he thought something had happened. I was jumping up and down squealing when he got there.

  How did you cope with rejection during the querying process?
  Friends. I made some author friends in various social media outlets that were going through the same thing so we coped together. I also had family and friends in my personal life that kept encouraging me forward despite the fact that there were times I really wanted to give up. So I had an awesome support system. I wouldn’t have made it this far without them.

  Describe the time when you got ‘the call’ regarding publication:
  My ‘call’ was actually an email. My editor lives overseas, so the email came in at some ungodly hour. I think it was like 2AM my time, or something like that. I was obviously asleep being that it was a Thursday J So I saw it pop up on my phone when I went to turn my alarm off. I didn’t immediately look at it, preparing myself for the worse. I’d already gotten a handful of rejections at that point, and was assuming it was just more of the same. I got my kids up and ready for school. When I finally made it to my bathroom to start putting myself together for work, I couldn’t resist any longer. I took a deep breath and opened the email. My eyes scanned the first two lines quickly, bracing myself for the disappointment that I’d become accustomed to. But instead of ‘thanks but no thanks,’ it was ‘thanks and we want you.’ I started screaming, which brought my husband running, thinking something terrible had happened. I was squealing and jumping up and down when I told him the news. Then I sent a text message to my family, spent my forty-minute drive to work on the phone with my sister-in-law, and then blabbed it to my boss and all my co-workers. It was definitely a good day 🙂

  Can you describe what your own path to publication was like?
  My path to publication felt like a whirlwind. It moved at light speed from getting my first draft completed, to submitting and getting a publishing deal. It all happened so fast that I still have a hard time believing it!

  It took me one year to finish the manuscript, another year to do multiple rounds of edits utilizing my beta readers and critique partners. Then, about six months after submitting, I received my publishing deal.

  What were your biggest learning experiences or surprises throughout the publishing journey?
  The people that have been alongside me through this journey are amazing. I’ve made so many fabulous author friends. I never expected to make so many connections and find so much support in the writing community.

  Looking back, what do you think you did right that helped you break in?
  Honestly, I think timing really is what did it for me. I wrote a story about a very touchy subject, at a time in this country where very touchy subjects were rearing their ugly heads. I caught a lot of attention that way, and rather quickly. So I don’t think I personally did anything special. I think that the timing was just right.

  Best advice you’ve ever been given, or have heard, about writing?
  “No matter what happens, you’ve already won.” My boss said that to me. He’s one of my biggest fans. I was having a panic attack over covers and marketing and the idea that this whole thing will flop because I make the wrong choice on color or don’t know how to get the word out there correctly, etc. I was freaking out about failing. He said, “The reason why you were able to go through this entire process so quickly is because you were fierce. You didn’t start this thinking you’d become some big famous author. You told me you did this because you wanted to and you loved it. And because of that you had nothing to lose; you were fearless. Don’t you see, you’ve already won? This has become so much more than you ever imagined. Remember that. Hold onto that. You can’t fail.”

  I repeat it like a mantra when I’m having the many panic attacks I have over this whole thing, LOL.

  Any advice for aspiring writers on writing and submitting?
  Hang in there. It’s a bumpy road, I won’t lie. But stay determined and keep going because amongst the rejections, you will get that call.

  What advice can you give to other writers on building a platform and gaining a readership base?
  Put yourself out there as much as you can. It’s tough manning all the different social media platforms and making a presence. It almost feels like a full time job! But I have found quite a few author friends and a fabulous support team, so it’s well worth it.

  What’s up next for you, and what are you working on now?
  I’m currently writing the second book in the Forbidden Love Series. I’m also getting ready to start submitting my stand alone novel, What Will Be, for representation.

  How can people connect with you?
  They can connect with me through my website: www.negeenpapehn.com

  I can also be found on FB: https://www.facebook.com/NegeenPapehn/

  Or Twitter: @NegeenPapehn And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/negeenpapehn/

  Anything else you want to add?
  Thank you so much for interviewing me! I hope my answers help other author’s forging on their own path to publication.

  Thank you so much Negeen for sharing your Path to Publication with us! What an awesome journey, with many more adventures to come. Good luck with your release of ‘Forbidden By Faith’ – can’t wait to have a read 🙂

  And for those of you who want to have a read of Negeen’s awesome book ‘Forbidden By Faith’, it’s scheduled for release on Feb 20th, 2018. Click on the pic below for more info.

  ‘Forbidden by Faith’
  Sara knows her life would be easier if she married a Muslim man, but when has love ever been easy?
  ​Raised by her immigrant Iranian Muslim parents, she’s been taught that a good daughter makes decisions based on her family’s approval, and she’s spent most of her life doing just that. Then one night, she meets Maziar, and her world is turned upside down. She feels an instant electricity between them, and it seems like fate when he tells her he’s also Iranian. Just as her mind begins to soar with the possibilities, he shatters her hopes when he tells her he’s Jewish.
  Despite the centuries of unrest behind them, Sara and Maziar embark on a forbidden love affair, attempting to navigate through the cultural and religious prejudices that beat them down and attempt to tear them apart.
  Deep within the trenches of her battle, Sara finds herself more empowered and careless than ever before. Angry at and disappointed by the people she’s idolized all her life, she’s determined to forge her own path. But choosing who to be could mean creating a life that’s no longer acceptable to those around her.
  Sara feels herself growing into an independent and confident woman, but will it be worth the ultimate cost: her family?

  About Negeen:

  Negeen Papehn was born and raised in southern California, where she currently lives with her husband and two rambunctious boys. She wasn’t always a writer. A graduate of USC dental school, Negeen spends half of her week with patients and the other half in front of her laptop. In the little time she finds in between, she loves to play with her boys, go wine tasting with her friends, throw parties, and relax with her family.
  Her debut novel FORBIDDEN BY FAITH will be out with City Owl Press February of 2018

• Carolyn M. Walker - https://carolynmwalker.wordpress.com/2018/03/31/author-interview-with-negeen-papehn/

  Author Interview with Negeen Papehn
  31 mar 2018 by miss write wise, posted in authors, debut novel, interview, spotlight, writing
  Reader and Writer Friends!

  Today, we’ll be interviewing the talented Negeen Papehn and discussing her debut novel Forbidden by Faith, which released with City Owl Press on February 20, 2018! It is Book 1 in her Forbidden Love Series. Read on to learn more about her new book and the author behind the words!

  ABOUT THE NOVEL:
  Fobbiden DIGITAL blue-pinkSara 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, she’s 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?

  AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
  Q. What inspires you to write?

  My need for a creative outlet. I grew up writing music and poetry. I sang every chance I got, whether that be in a high school band or in my shower. But then I became an adult and lost sight of that part of me. A few years ago, I felt like I couldn’t find myself anymore. I am a storyteller by nature, very animated when I speak, and a friend suggested I write a book. It felt more like a joke at first, but a few weeks later I started writing. Through it, I found myself again. And now I can’t imagine ever stopping.

  Q. Why did you decide to write Forbidden by Faith?

  There aren’t many novels out there with MCs that are first generation Iranian Americans. I wanted to shed light on our culture at an angle that hasn’t yet been viewed, in a way that all readers of any nationality, could relate to. Forbidden by Faith follows Sara on her trials and tribulations as she sets out to find herself, in the pursuit of true love. But it’s more than just a love story. It’ takes a look at what the strength of familial bonds can endure, the fierce devotion between friends, and when independence can cost you more than you could have ever imagined. My hope is, that readers will identify with that.

  Q. What makes your main character(s) unique or worth caring about?

  That’s a good question. Sara is bold in some ways but timid and uncertain in others. There’s moments when the reader wants to jump into the pages and shake some sense into her, but continuously roots her on and hopes she succeeds. I’ve found that the dichotomy of emotions propels my readers forward as they immerse themselves into Sara’s life as well as her heart. My hope is, that I’ve painted a vivid enough canvas, and well-developed characters, that you can’t help but care.

  Q. Can you share a little bit about your writing process?

  I’m mainly a pantser. I don’t do extensive outlining before I begin a story, it’s more an idea that takes shape in my mind. I do a lot of my plotting in the car as I drive to and from the day job. And then I just begin writing. I have a group of CPs that edit for me as I go, finding plot holes or inconsistencies where I’ve missed them. I have a close author friend that does plot calls with me where we hash out details and build the story line together. I find that super helpful because she gives me perspectives I hadn’t considered before. Once the first draft is complete, I do an initial round of edits myself. Then I send it off for a beta read. My beta readers vary, but I take their notes and revise. Depending on the story, I do this step a total of 2 or 3 times. At that point, I’m sick of reading it, LOL, so I start submitting.

  Q. Who are your favorite author(s)?

  That’s hard. I read a variety of genres, to be honest. I love Jojo Moyes, Kristin Hannah, George R.R. Martin, Pierce Brown, Patrick Rothfuss. There’s Khaled Hosseini and Mahbod Seraji, and their heart wrenching tales. There’s so many books that stand out in my mind, it’s hard to list everyone. But I’ve fallen in love with stories by these authors for sure.

  Q. What are you currently reading right now?

  I am reading two books right now. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover, and Iron Gold by Pierce Brown.

  Q. What’s harder, writing that first sentence or the last sentence of your book?

  The last line. It’s tough sometimes, for me to know exactly where and when to end the story. I want to make an impact but still leave my readers satisfied; there’s a fine line between the two. Sometimes, it’s hard to write the last sentence because I really don’t want the story to end. I’ve fallen in love with my characters and once I’m done, they cease to exist, in a way. There’s definitely a mourning period that follows finishing a manuscript.

  Q. What good advice would you give to aspiring authors out there?

  Tell your story, because it’s the only one you can tell and there isn’t another quite like it. Stay strong as you try to find representation. I won’t lie, each rejection stings, but just know that we all get them and you aren’t alone in the query trenches. And don’t read your reviews. The bad ones can be debilitating, but remember that those opinions don’t define you. You are amazing. Not many people can say they’ve written a book, so don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments, because they really are fabulous!

  ABOUT NEGEEN:
  Processed with VSCO with c1 presetNegeen Papehn was born and raised in southern California, where she currently lives with her husband and two boys. She wasn’t always a writer. A graduate of USC dental school, Negeen spends half of her week with patients and the other half in front of her laptop. In the little time she finds in between, she loves to play with her boys, go wine tasting with her friends, throw parties, and relax with her family.

• Emily Colin - https://www.emilycolin.com/negeen-papehn-forbidden-by-faith/

  NEGEEN PAPEHN: FORBIDDEN BY FAITH
  In Author Interviews by adminApril 12, 2018

  I love having debut authors on the blog, and having the privilege of being part of their books’ introduction to the world. You know what else I love? The trope of forbidden love. Negeen Papehn’s new novel, FORBIDDEN BY FAITH, is the tale of a Muslim woman and a Jewish man who fall for each other—and it’s inspired by Negeen’s own marriage. I couldn’t wait to ask her all about it.

  Welcome to the blog, Negeen! Your debut novel, FORBIDDEN BY FAITH, just hit the shelves in February. What’s it all about—and what inspired you to write it?

  Thanks for having me, Emily! I’m so happy to be here. My debut novel, FORBIDDEN BY FAITH, has been out in the world for a month and a half and I couldn’t be more excited! It is a Diverse Contemporary Romance that deals with the impact of traditional views and cultural differences on current day relationships. Here is the back cover blurb:

  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. 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.

  My inspiration for writing came from my need to find a creative outlet. At a time in life when every hat I wore just felt more and more like I was forgetting who I used to be, the motivation to create something in which I could lose myself, evolved into writing my first novel.

  The storyline itself was inspired from my own life. My husband and I are both Iranian. I am Muslim. He is Jewish. And although Sara’s story is not mine, it is a very realistic reaction to our situation. I was lucky; not everyone is. And therefore it’s uncommon in my culture.

  This is your first novel—but your second career. When you’re not in front of your keyboard, you’re busy being a dentist. I’m curious—have you always known that you wanted to be a writer? And how do you balance both of your careers…plus motherhood? Any tips or secrets?

  I wouldn’t say I’ve always known I wanted to be an author. I have always written. From a young age I started putting my feelings down on paper in the form of poetry. And when I was a teenager, I discovered I could actually sing, so my poems evolved into lyrics and songs. Somewhere in the tween years, I do remember thinking I wanted to write a novel and trying, but that only made it a few pages, LOL. Until I sat down and started FORBIDDEN BY FAITH, I really didn’t even know I actually could be a writer.

  As far as my juggling act, it’s a work in progress! I wish I had a secret, a formula I use to perfectly manage being a mother, wife, dentist and author, but sadly I don’t. When people ask me how I do it, I always say, I just never stop. I write in the in-betweens, after I run all my errands, while I’m on my lunch break, in between patients as I wait for them to go numb. I write while helping the kids with homework, or when they wind down before bedtime. And I stay up way too late to get things done. Any chance I get, I’m in front of my laptop. Honestly, I’m always exhausted!

  FORBIDDEN BY FAITH is the first book in your FORBIDDEN LOVE series. What draws you to write about forbidden love—what about it do you find especially compelling and intriguing? And do you have any other favorite tropes you love to write about?

  I love to write anything that takes my readers on an emotional roller coaster ride. I’m drawn to forbidden love because it allows me to create a relationship that’s awe-inspiring and amazing, yet hopeless and shattering, all at the same time. I want readers to root for the lovers but feel the despair that comes with the knowledge that they can’t be together. I thrive to make their hearts sore as much as I aim to bring tears to their eyes. Some of my most favorite books have broken my heart. When a reader tells me they cried in a particular scene, I do a little happy dance, LOL. I know, I’m cruel. But stories that exhaust you with emotions are the ones that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. That’s the kind of stories I want to write.

  As far as any other tropes, I like second chance romances as well.

  Both of the main characters in FORBIDDEN BY FAITH are Iranian—though one is Muslim and the other is Jewish. Did you draw on your own heritage to write the novel . . . and did you have to do any research to bring your storyline to life?

  I did draw from my own heritage for this novel. When I started writing this story, I really didn’t think about publishing it and getting it out into the world. Matter of fact, I never imagined I’d actually finish it, let alone submit it and get it picked up! I just wanted to write, so I started with something I knew. I also wanted to show a side of my culture that isn’t readily known or focused on in the world we live in today. There are so many amazing things about the Iranian culture. I wanted to share that with readers in hopes that it would shine a different light on us.

  I had to do minimal research, to be honest. Being that it’s own voices, it was easy to pull from my own life experiences. I did research historical dates and descriptions of religious/cultural holidays, to make sure I had the details correct. Other than that, it was basically things I’ve grown up doing and experiencing. There wasn’t much else.

  Tell us a bit about your journey to publication. Were there bumps along the way? What was your most exciting moment? Your dark night of the soul?

  My publication journey was a whirlwind! It moved so fast I didn’t really have any idea what was happening, LOL. It took me a year to finish the novel and get it ready to submit. And then I was signed within the following year. It wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows though. I received my fair share of rejections, each of which stung so bad, it just fueled my imposter syndrome. Multiple times I thought I wanted to just throw in the towel and be done with the whole thing. But, with the encouragement of my writer friends, I kept going.

  My most exciting moment was when I received the email from City Owl press saying they wanted to publish FORBIDDEN BY FAITH. It was early in the morning, and I was getting ready for work. I was expecting another rejection so I wasn’t prepared for the ‘we want you’ first line. I started screaming, bringing my husband and boys running in to see if I was okay. They found me jumping up and down, crying. It was awesome.

  My dark night moment just happened, actually, after my book launched. I received my first horrible review. I know all authors say everyone gets them and it’s some rite of passage, but until you read a review where the story and characters you love and put so much of yourself into, are torn apart, you have no idea how devastating it feels. Especially if it’s a trade review. It made me question my worth as an author and I almost gave up. But after a week of licking my wounds, and a handful of pep talks from multiple author friends, I picked myself up and pushed forward.

6/4/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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Print Marked Items
Papehn, Negeen. Forbidden by Faith
Jennifer Rothschild
Xpress Reviews.
(Mar. 16, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/reviews/xpress/884170-289/xpress_reviews-first_look_at_new.html.csp
Full Text:
Papehn, Negeen. Forbidden by Faith. City Owl. (Forbidden Love, Bk. 1). Feb. 2018. 330p. ISBN
9781944728700. pap. $15.99; ebk. ISBN 9781944728717. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
[DEBUT] Sara's immediate physical attraction to Maziar is dampened when she learns that even though
they're both Iranian American, he is Jewish, and while not religiously observant, her family is Muslim. Sara
fears their religions will spell trouble as neither family will accept the relationship. Maziar, however, will
not give up that easily, even after Sara's worst fears come to pass. Despite religious differences being the
main obstacle, Papehn fails to explore what those differences actually are. Little mention is made of Muslim
religious life, and Jewishness is limited to a drama-laden Hanukkah party. Told exclusively from Sara's
point of view, the book never makes it clear why Sara loves Maziar so much except that she keeps saying
she does. The story evolves over four years, with large amounts of time neatly summarized, robbing readers
of genuine character and relationship development.
Verdict Clunky prose, poor pacing, and overnarration bog down what could have been an intriguing story.--
Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington P.L., VA
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Rothschild, Jennifer. "Papehn, Negeen. Forbidden by Faith." Xpress Reviews, 16 Mar. 2018. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A533004920/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=d00c582e. Accessed 4 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A533004920
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Forbidden by Faith
Publishers Weekly.
265.6 (Feb. 5, 2018): p49.
COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Forbidden by Faith
Negeen Papehn. City Owl, $15.99 trade paper
(320p) ISBN 978-1-944728-70-0
This heartfelt immigrant love story, set in present-day California, suffers from a plethora of debut-novel
clunkiness issues, gesturing toward a complex story about identity but delivering only simple stereotypes
about traditionalist attitudes. Persian and Muslim pharmacy student Sara lets law student Maziar, with
whom she becomes smitten at a party, convince her that his family will accept her despite his Iranian Jewish
heritage. When that turns out to be untrue, she runs away from the relationship despite her feelings for him.
Papehn parades the beats of her plot predictably, and her gambit of starting the book with a scene from the
end fails to pay off in the final build-up. Prosaic and cliche-ridden prose appears throughout and is
particularly apparent in the sex scenes, which aim to be impressionistic but just feel vague ("When we
finally reached the peak, the earth shattered beneath us and we came crashing down onto the pillows
together"). Character development is weak for all but the heroine. This has the effect of making Sara seem
narcissistic, and Maziar's attempts to reconnect after the initial breakup are more creepy than endearing.
Detailed descriptions of Iranian food and cultural elements are the high point, but aren't enough to carry this
lackluster romance. (Mar.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Forbidden by Faith." Publishers Weekly, 5 Feb. 2018, p. 49. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A526810409/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=9800e197.
Accessed 4 June 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A526810409

• Minerva Spencer
  https://minervaspencer.com/book-review-forbidden-by-faith-negeen-papehn/
  Word count: 328

  Book Review: Forbidden by Faith, Negeen Papehn
  JANUARY 25, 2018

  My rating: 5 of 5 stars

  The blurb on the back of this book does not do the story between the covers justice.

  Forbidden by Faith isn’t only a love story, it’s also the story of young woman’s journey of self-discovery. Sara has her plate full: pharmacy school, loving–but demanding–traditional Persian parents and family, and two hot, forbidden men who are both willing to fight for her.

  The author kept me guessing and I loved not knowing how this story was going to end. Papehn also did a stellar job of depicting Sara’s struggle to find the truth while those around her are busily pursuing their own agendas.

  Sara walks a fine line of being an American, a Persian, and a woman who is her own person, regardless of labels or her family’s or society’s expectations.

  Papehn tells Sara’s story in a clean, fast-paced, direct fashion that is compelling without sacrificing beautiful, intelligent, and often amusing prose.

  Here are a few examples:

  “There was a warmth about him that felt like fingers wrapped around a hot cup of tea on a cold day.”

  “Persian women were a special breed, possessing certain ironclad strength. They never showed weakness. . . . Absolutely no one considered therapy, unless they were clinically insane.”

  And then there were the descriptions of food, which left me so hungry I was ready to gnaw off my arm. I LOVE Persian food and it was torture to read about it and have no Persian mother here to cook for me.

  Anyhow, I loved the book–starting from the very first page. The prologue, which was clever, made the story even more fun and interesting to read (you’ll need to read the book to see what I mean!)