Forbidden romance, heretical beliefs, secret meetings and clandestine conspiracies under the desert sun combine to make this a riveting and revealing novel. Deborah, a Jew, and Marcus, a Roman begin a forbidden romance during the biblical time of Paul. Deborah's younger brother, Shem, struggles to discover himself and the meaning of freedom midst the seething social unrest of first century Damascus. The Nazarenes meet in secret and conspire to smuggle Paul out of Damascus. Can Deborah, Shem and Marcus find a way to bridge their differences or will their traditions and cultures clash leading to the ultimate betrayal?