Samahani

Samahani - a Kiswahili word that means "I'm sorry" - and is used to apologize for pain or misfortune that is your fault. I chose the title as it encapsulates a need for understanding and reconciliation in the face of conflict. This romantic action thriller is set in 1956, a time of important historical and cultural issues worldwide. It's an African adventure and a love story that explores the complicated relationship between wildlife protection, the rights of the local people and a struggle for independence.

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The to be published Date for Amazon is February 2025

Main Characters

Megan Harrington

An affluent white South African and a passionate ecologist, deeply values her friendship with Alex, knowing nothing of his love for her. The discovery of an 1891 Arab trader’s journal inspires Megan Harrington to follow her professor to Tanganyika, defying his wishes, with devastating results.

Alex Trevenen

An islander from Réunion, whose deep love for Megan Harrington, a white South African, is tainted by two words stamped on his passport, nie blanke, non-white”. Acting on his love would put Megan’s career at the university in jeopardy and make her persona non grata in the Cape Town community, where her family is well respected.

Prof. Roger Morrison

Head of Research at the University of Cape Town, Roger Morrison has been recruited by MI6. His research on the Black rhino of Ngorongoro gives him the perfect cover to spy on a terrorist cell operating in that area. His only problem is dissuading his strong-willed assistant, Megan, from accompanying him on his undercover mission.

Tumaini - The Leopard

A university-educated Maasai, Tumaini holds a fierce hatred for British colonial policies and land-grabbing ecologists. Recruited to the Muslim Brotherhood by a wealthy Yemeni living in Zanzibar, he will do anything to save the Maasai grazing land from being absorbed into game reserves. Even if he has to kill for it.

Extract

Chapter 1 ~ Tanganyika 1956

The single-engine Dornier Do-7 soared into the sky as the motorbike peeled away from the race, its rider giving the pilot a farewell salute. Turning right, Alex Trevenen headed for a gap in the fence with the barbed wire peeled back on either side, undoubtedly by vandals, but it provided him a shortcut.

Accelerating through force of habit on the main road to Bagamoyo, Alex had to immediately ease off, sucking in deeply as pain pounded his chest. A sharp reminder that Dar’s transport infrastructure did not bode well for cracked ribs or a damaged collarbone. Both of which diminished the joy of riding his latest acquisition, a 1947 silver on black 500cc Italian Saturno, which he had meticulously restored to mint condition.