"Saffron Dreams" is a tale of love, tragedy, and redemption from the award-winning author of "Beyond the Cayenne Wall."..
You don't know you're a misfit until you are marked as an outcast.
From the darkest hour of American history emerges a mesmerizing tale of tender love, a life interrupted, and faith recovered. Arissa Illahi, a Muslim artist and writer, discovers in a single moment that no matter how carefully you map your life, it is life itself that chooses your destiny. After her husband's death in the collapse of the World Trade Center, the discovery of his manuscript marks Arissa's reconnection to life. Her unborn son and the unfinished novel fuse in her mind into one life-defining project that becomes, at once, the struggle for her emotional survival and the redemption of her race. "Saffron Dreams" is a novel about our ever evolving identities and the events and places that shape them. It reminds us that in the midst of tragedy, our dreams can become a lasting legacy.
Praise for "Saffron Dreams"
"Eloquently written, a must-read for any one interested in exploring the lived experiences of Muslim women in the United States."
--Ali Asani, PhD, Professor of the Practice of Indo-Muslim Languages and Cultures, Harvard University
""Saffron Dreams" is an unflinching look at the societal pressures of widowhood, the role that art can play in the healing process, and the impact of media bias and stereotyping on the Muslim American community in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks."
--Sandhya Nankani, "Literary Safari"
"Following Arissa's story makes the reader realize how little most of us know and understand the world of Muslims, and how incredibly wrong so many of our perceptions are."
--Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson, "Reader Views"
"Shaila Abdullah's "Saffron Dreams" is a fascinating look at how events can quickly change a life forever. The thread of Muslim beliefs in a modern world, and especially how women balance ancient and modern traditions, is a fresh and different viewpoint."
--Sandie Kirkland, "Rebecca's Reads"
About the Author
Shaila Abdullah is a Pakistani-American author and designer based in Austin, Texas. Her first book, "Beyond the Cayenne Wall," is an award-winning collection of stories about Pakistani women struggling to find their individualities despite the barriers imposed by society. For more information, please visit www.ShailaAbdullah.com.
"Saffron Dreams" is Book #5 of the Reflections of America Series from Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com

A simple tale of love and friendship to warm your heart
Award-winning author and designer Shaila Abdullah teams up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to bring you this heartwarming tale of a little girl who forms a close bond with a child with cerebral palsy. The girl finds that through her art, she can reach her special friend Suhana.
"My Friend Suhana is a delightful read for a children's book. Very well illustrated with respect, friendship, and advocacy all in mind at the same time."
--Dawn Cruzan, President, Camp Craig Allen for all abilities
"This is the story of a seven-year-old's first attempt at unconditional love. Tough but tender, inspirational yet utterly real, this is a small gem of a tale. Highly recommended for anyone in the position of mentoring a beloved child through the hard places of life."
--Paula Huston, author of "A Season of Mystery" and "A Land Without Sin"
"My Friend Suhana is a charming and perceptive book that will draw its readers into empathy while allowing them to enjoy this heartwarming story of two uncommon friends."
--Chitra Divakaruni, author of "Grandma and the Great Gourd"
Learn more at www.MyFriendSuhana.com
From the Growing With Love Series at www.LHPress.com

A simple tale of love and friendship to warm your heart
Award-winning author and designer Shaila Abdullah teams up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to bring you this heartwarming tale of a little girl who forms a close bond with a child with cerebral palsy. The girl finds that through her art, she can reach her special friend Suhana.
"My Friend Suhana is a delightful read for a children's book. Very well illustrated with respect, friendship, and advocacy all in mind at the same time."
--Dawn Cruzan, President, Camp Craig Allen for all abilities
"This is the story of a seven-year-old's first attempt at unconditional love. Tough but tender, inspirational yet utterly real, this is a small gem of a tale. Highly recommended for anyone in the position of mentoring a beloved child through the hard places of life."
--Paula Huston, author of "A Season of Mystery" and "A Land Without Sin"
"My Friend Suhana is a charming and perceptive book that will draw its readers into empathy while allowing them to enjoy this heartwarming story of two uncommon friends."
--Chitra Divakaruni, author of "Grandma and the Great Gourd"
Learn more at www.MyFriendSuhana.com
From the Growing With Love Series at www.LHPress.com

"Saffron Dreams" is a tale of love, tragedy, and redemption from the award-winning author of "Beyond the Cayenne Wall."..
You don't know you're a misfit until you are marked as an outcast.
From the darkest hour of American history emerges a mesmerizing tale of tender love, a life interrupted, and faith recovered. Arissa Illahi, a Muslim artist and writer, discovers in a single moment that no matter how carefully you map your life, it is life itself that chooses your destiny. After her husband's death in the collapse of the World Trade Center, the discovery of his manuscript marks Arissa's reconnection to life. Her unborn son and the unfinished novel fuse in her mind into one life-defining project that becomes, at once, the struggle for her emotional survival and the redemption of her race. "Saffron Dreams" is a novel about our ever evolving identities and the events and places that shape them. It reminds us that in the midst of tragedy, our dreams can become a lasting legacy.
The Academic edition of Saffron Dreams includes an Instructor's Manual containing discussion topics and questions for each chapter. Educators can use this manual in their classrooms to stimulate critical thinking, explore key themes of the novel, and brainstorm decisions and actions of the characters at various points. This edition also contains a suggested reading list, glossary, and recipes of dishes mentioned in the novel
About the Author
Shaila Abdullah is a Pakistani-American author and designer based in Austin, Texas. Her first book, "Beyond the Cayenne Wall," is an award-winning collection of stories about Pakistani women struggling to find their individualities despite the barriers imposed by society. For more information, please visit www.ShailaAbdullah.com.
"Saffron Dreams" is Book #5 of the Reflections of America Series from Modern History Press and is available in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats
www.ModernHistoryPress.com
EDU020000 Education: Multicultural Education
SOC048000 Social Science: Islamic Studies
FIC027020 Fiction: Romance - Contemporary

"Saffron Dreams" is a tale of love, tragedy, and redemption from the award-winning author of "Beyond the Cayenne Wall."..
You don't know you're a misfit until you are marked as an outcast.
From the darkest hour of American history emerges a mesmerizing tale of tender love, a life interrupted, and faith recovered. Arissa Illahi, a Muslim artist and writer, discovers in a single moment that no matter how carefully you map your life, it is life itself that chooses your destiny. After her husband's death in the collapse of the World Trade Center, the discovery of his manuscript marks Arissa's reconnection to life. Her unborn son and the unfinished novel fuse in her mind into one life-defining project that becomes, at once, the struggle for her emotional survival and the redemption of her race. "Saffron Dreams" is a novel about our ever evolving identities and the events and places that shape them. It reminds us that in the midst of tragedy, our dreams can become a lasting legacy.
Praise for "Saffron Dreams"
"Eloquently written, a must-read for any one interested in exploring the lived experiences of Muslim women in the United States."
--Ali Asani, PhD, Professor of the Practice of Indo-Muslim Languages and Cultures, Harvard University
""Saffron Dreams" is an unflinching look at the societal pressures of widowhood, the role that art can play in the healing process, and the impact of media bias and stereotyping on the Muslim American community in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks."
--Sandhya Nankani, Literary Safari
"Following Arissa's story makes the reader realize how little most of us know and understand the world of Muslims, and how incredibly wrong so many of our perceptions are."
--Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson, "Reader Views"
"Shaila Abdullah's "Saffron Dreams" is a fascinating look at how events can quickly change a life forever. The thread of Muslim beliefs in a modern world, and especially how women balance ancient and modern traditions, is a fresh and different viewpoint."
--Sandie Kirkland, "Rebecca's Reads"
About the Author
Shaila Abdullah is a Pakistani-American author and designer based in Austin, Texas. Her first book, "Beyond the Cayenne Wall," is an award-winning collection of stories about Pakistani women struggling to find their individualities despite the barriers imposed by society. For more information, please visit www.ShailaAbdullah.com.
"Saffron Dreams" is Book #5 of the Reflections of America Series from Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com