Once in Africa, I kissed a king…
“And just like that, in an old red barn at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, I discovered the elusive magic I had only ever glimpsed between the pages of great love stories. It fluttered around me like a newly born butterfly and settled in a corner of my heart. I held my breath, afraid to exhale for fear it would slip out, never to be found again.”
When a bomb explodes in a mall in East Africa, its aftershocks send two strangers on a collision course that neither one sees coming.
Jack Warden, a divorced coffee farmer in Tanzania, loses his only daughter. An ocean away, in the English countryside, Rodel Emerson loses her only sibling.
Two ordinary people, bound by a tragic afternoon, set out to achieve the extraordinary, as they make three stops to rescue three children across the vast plains of the Serengeti—children who are worth more dead than alive.
But even if they beat the odds, another challenge looms at the end of the line. Can they survive yet another loss—this time of a love that’s bound to slip through their fingers, like the mists that dissipate in the light of the sun?
“Sometimes you come across a rainbow story—one that spans your heart. You might not be able to grasp it or hold on to it, but you can never be sorry for the color and magic it brought.”
This book is SO amazing – one of my favorite books of all time! Unique story, addictively fantastic characters and the writing was beyond beautiful! I’m beyond excited that Leylah wrote a Love Note from Jack!
Jack’s note made me tear up and my heart explode with love – I LOVE IT!!!
Keep reading to see the full Love Note!
If you’re wondering why there’s a note stuck to the mirror, let me remind you. We have a Valentine’s date in the barn. You, the little hell raiser growing inside of you, and me. I think we have a mini-Goma on our hands, Rodel. Unless you’ve been guzzling down the coffee. I’m amazed you could sleep through all the kicking last night. Our baby wants out, and I can’t wait to hold her. Or him. I keep imagining a perfect round face, tiny fingers that grab on tight, a newborn foot cradled in my palm. I keep thinking I’ll wake up from this, but then I see you lying next to me, your belly full and round, and I can’t believe I have another chance—at being a husband, at being a father, at being alive, and even more, at feeling alive. You did that. You breathed fire into the ashes of my soul, and every time I look at you, I burn with a sense of completeness I cannot describe. Come to the barn in the afternoon. Tea party for three. PS: I might have left a bunch of sticky notes for you to find today.
Leylah Attar writes stories about love – shaken, stirred and served with a twist. When she’s not writing, she can be found pursuing her other passions: photography, food, family and travel. Sometimes she disappears into the black hole of the internet, but can usually be enticed out with chocolate.
I love Jack. This was such a beautiful story and spectacular writing. I could read about Jack and Rodel over and over again!
I love love love love Jack and Rodel.. Reading the love note in his POV makes everything in their already awesome story better.
Thank you for making my day!
I’ve loved all her books, each one better than the last, but Mists of the Serengeti holds a special place in my heart. 💖
I want Jamie Fraser for my Valentine this year. Thanks <3