Loveswept

"Set in a beautiful and exotic country besieged by political and religious struggles, LOVESWEPT is a compelling story of a young Turkish woman's romantic encounters that transcend deep cultural differences. A must read. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down." --Helen S. Astin, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, UCLA, co-author of WOMEN OF INFLUENCE, WOMEN OF VISION "LOVESWEPT beautifully portrays how the political and cultural transformation of a country deeply impacts personal lives. Standing at the crossroads between traditional values and a modern life, Neri must battle societal expectations on women as well as overcome her fears. Her journey is a journey of reclaiming one's own identity." --Almila Ozdek, Ph.D. English, George Washington University How long should a girl hold onto her first love? A beautiful Turkish girl, a handsome English merchant marine, a sympathetic American and a cheating husband... LOVESWEPT is a cross-cultural romance taking place during the social and political turmoil of 1950s Turkey where the line between state and mosque becomes blurred and American dollars flood the country. Postwar Ankara is a place of daily intrigue where corruption and romance could bring happiness and disaster. Neri is an educated young woman caught between East and West, tradition and modernity, loyalty and desire in a Muslim country undergoing great social and cultural changes. She is a woman of contradictions: innocent and traditional, yet Westernized, rebellious and ambitious who dares to seek both excitement and happiness...but at what cost? Author Bio Engin Inel Holmstrom was born and raised in Turkey. She graduated from the American College for Girls in Arnavutköy, Istanbul and received her masters and doctorate degrees in Sociology from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Engin has over fifty professional publications, mostly dealing with higher education and public policy. She has lectured widely in the United States on issues concerning Turkish women, gender equality and Atatürk's reforms. Her hobby is painting. Retired now, she lives in Leesburg, Virginia with her husband and two cats. Loveswept is her first novel.