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Leah

by Dana K. Haffar (Goodreads Author)

4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 · rating details · 11 ratings · 9 reviews

On the remote island of Puerto Franco, young Leah wades into the sea and disappears. Her body is never found. Thirty years later, visual artist Mar arrives on the island with her daughter, Lemay. She anticipates a haven where she can work on her craft, away from her controlling husband. Instead, Mar finds herself in the midst of a close-knit community haunted by a curse th...more

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Published September 20th 2011 by Smashwords (first published September 1st 2011)

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Mar 08, 2013 Kate Brauning rated it 4 of 5 stars

Leah is a lovely novel with many strong points. The story focuses on Mar’s journey toward independence and Sebastian’s struggle with the death of his sister and mother. The story is a unique kind of romance set on a harsh, unforgiving island.

The setting, actually, is one of my favorite elements. Puerto Franco, a small island with a tightly-knit community, is an active force in the story. Ms. Haffar brings the setting to life in vivid ways; the island is practically a character with its own perso...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Richard Bunning rated it 5 of 5 stars

Leah is not just a book with many of the traditional elements of romance, it is a life art experience. This is a moving tapestry, every bit as perceptive as we come to assume are the paintings created by the main character Mar. This is a psychological book, which deeply explores people and the moments that create them. We actually brush up against the paranormal, how closely will depend on the minds of the reader. The beautifully crafted words provide the frame; our imaginations are drawn to pai...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Rachel Abbott rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book opens with a tragedy on the island of Puerto Franco when a local girl called Leah goes missing and is presumed to have been drowned, although her body was never found. This event has a devastating effect on the girl's mother and brother who never really come to terms with the loss. When the island is hit by a series of extreme storms, the locals believe that the girl's death has cast a curse on them all and the Mother and her son become alienated from nearly everyone.

Thirty years on, w...more

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Jul 27, 2012 Nicole Staubin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-thriller, 2012-and-before

*Warning I don't repeat what's already in the blurb*

Before I give my review, I just want to say that Dana Haffar is a wonderful writer. Her story has depth, her characters are well rounded, and it was exquisitely written. I was so engrossed in this book that I read 200+ pages in one night, unable to put it down, fighting off sleep until I had it finished. This is the first book I've read by her, but it certainly not the last. Leah is full of other-worldliness on top of murder, mystery, and a hin...more *Warning I don't repeat what's already in the blurb*

Before I give my review, I just want to say that Dana Haffar is a wonderful writer. Her story has depth, her characters are well rounded, and it was exquisitely written. I was so engrossed in this book that I read 200+ pages in one night, unable to put it down, fighting off sleep until I had it finished. This is the first book I've read by her, but it certainly not the last. Leah is full of other-worldliness on top of murder, mystery, and a hint of romance. The characters are full of passion, compassion, over protectiveness, and deceit; even the secondary characters are full of life and make the over all story whole.

Leah opens up to a tragedy thirty years before the actual story takes place which I found refreshing. Having a back story like that leads into a present day story. I loved how I had no idea where I was. Most books, give you a distinct sense of where the story takes place and where it leads. But Haffar does it in a way where you know you're some place exotic, not just an island (or the mainland). You could be anywhere in the world. (Though, I do suppose its possible I missed the exact location, I don't think so.)

The story unfolds slowly and surely. Haffar is careful not to give everything away at once, or in the order in which they occur (through back-story or present story), which is part of the reason why I couldn't put it down. I needed to know why the characters where in the position they were in because ultimately those decisions are what lead to their current predicament.

I had a love/hate relationship with the ending of this book. I loved it because it didn't end how I expected it to end, it left me in confusion about really happened. But, I also hated it for the same reason. I didn't like the cliffhanger of an ending, even a few hours after finishing I still have this desperate need to know what happened to the two main characters. There was only one question left unanswered, but I think I understand the ending that way it was intended, but don't let that deter you from reading a wonderfully written piece of fiction.(less)

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Mar 13, 2012 Viviane Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

How could an 8 year-old young girl, Leah, known to be a skilled swimmer have drowned on the island of Puerto Franco, an event of catastrophic proportion to her mother, Cristina. Cristina is so distraught over the loss of her daughter that she cannot lay her to rest in symbolic form as there is no body to bury. As time passes, others believe the island has been cursed by Leah's death, and every terrible event only fuels the fire of fear and dislike of Cristina.

Years later, a young woman, Mar, and...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Sophie Dusting rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Review: (Warning - contain spoilers)
Plot & pace - A wonderful yet haunting story of a community trapped by a curse of betrayal and revenge. The death of Leah had never been explained. Her disappearance has left the people of Puerto Franco disheartened and suspicious. Believing it is a paranormal jinx placed on the island, it is a secret that is not openly discussed or revealed; the truth behind Leah's death.

As a community that is built on knowing everyone else's business, it isn't too lo...more The Review: (Warning - contain spoilers)
Plot & pace - A wonderful yet haunting story of a community trapped by a curse of betrayal and revenge. The death of Leah had never been explained. Her disappearance has left the people of Puerto Franco disheartened and suspicious. Believing it is a paranormal jinx placed on the island, it is a secret that is not openly discussed or revealed; the truth behind Leah's death.

As a community that is built on knowing everyone else's business, it isn't too long before Mar makes an impact. Mar becomes engrossed in the story of Leah's death as she explores the island and discovers the family home. Through her adventures on Puerto Franco, Leah communicates with her, forewarning her of danger and the identity of her murderer.

Thrown into the mix, is Sebastian, Leah's brother and swooning heart-throb of the island that encapsulates Mar's' affection. Bound by fate and the superstition of the community, he has a black mark by his name. Trapped in a relationship with Manuela, who I would class as the village bike \ bitch, he is constantly reminded of the life he could of had with his sister.

This a story and plot with a myriad of tales. In some scenes the story relays the historical tragedy and paranormal fantasy of Leah's death and in others it documents the love triangle with Mar, Seb and Manuela and Mar's vision of her own life and future career in art. It's not a 'mid-life crisis' book and likewise I would be hesitant to class it as chick-lit as it somewhat diminishes the skill the author has presented in crafting the story. However, I would have liked a little less 'love' and more paranormal thrown in, near the middle it was in danger of turning into another chick-lit; fortunately the ending was superb, satisfying and saved it; I won't give it away as it will be too bigger spoiler but it was a great finish to the book.

Setting and description - Aside from the plot itself, the setting was the other particularly strong element. Puerto Franco, Spain was described with such beauty it transported me straight to the island and previous family holidays I've had in the Mediterranean. I could close my eyes and almost touch the tip of the sea and feel the grain of sands between my toes. It sounds very cliched, but it was pure escaping.

The island was so atmospheric. Receiving the hostile, easterly winds, sea mist and storm waves it was an island of two faces; the lovely beach holiday destination and the harsh reality of a community living by the sea. The detachment from the mainland only served to enhance the islands isolation and closeness of the community from the outside world.

Characters - Though I warmed to the character of Mar, the upper class housewife escaping her prison to pursue her artistic work, I did feel her back-story was somewhat typical. The fact she fell for Sebastian was not altogether surprising, though I must admit how quickly Seb began pursuing Mar was. I really loved Sebs character. He lives in the shadow of a life he could of had, of the family that once lived. And though this haunts him, he doesn't want to leave the island and forget the tragedy.

Language & dialogue used - The book is neither hard to read nor follow. It does not require too much concentration and you can easily pick it up and put it down (if you can) and set off immediately where you left. The language used is beautiful, particularly the odd bit of Spanish thrown in here and there (which, oddly I didn't know the literally definition of the words I understood the message being conveyed).

Narrative - Told in the third person we follow the two main characters of the book, Sebastian and Mar through their thoughts and how they process the turn of events that befall them. The narrative is expressed very well.

Themes and ideas - Certain elements did feel slightly traditional and safe, such as Mar's backstory. Yet, for a novel with a foundation of a historical curse it packs a punch; we have the love triangle, the ghost-story come mystery of Leah, the middle aged housewife pursuit of a career, all within a sunny, tropical paradise.

Book cover - I don't usually comment on the front cover of books but I really liked the imagery. It looks as though the girl (Leah), is either walking towards or away from the sea. A good illustration of the paranormal theme of a spirit that is not at rest, one that is lost at sea and those souls which come out the water and haunt.

Overall review - I envisaged that this would make a great holiday read. There's mystery, romance, the beach all rolled into one book. I think this may become a 'guilty pleasure' book; an easy read which though does not push the boundaries does make a cracking good book. 4* Stars. (less)

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May 02, 2012 N.M. Martinez rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: indies

What I enjoyed most about this book were the descriptions. They were simple yet vivid and made me feel as if I were there on the island. It was like a little vacation for me. I may have even gotten a bit of a tan.

But about 10% into the book, I knew how it would go. I caught onto the twists before the main character did, and the twists I didn't see coming were just very random, though not entirely unbelievable.

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Apr 01, 2013 Pj Royal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Leah is a brilliantly evocative book, with vividly-drawn characters set amidst the isolation of a windswept island. All plotlines weave towards a dramatic conclusion that Dana Haffar manages with utmost dexterity. I loved this book, love this author - most highly to be recommended.

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Nov 07, 2012 Mary Forbes rated it 5 of 5 stars

A very entertaining read. I felt so strongly for Sebastian and his troubled childhood. Haffar dealt with controversial subjects in a very insightful way. This is a great book to read.

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About Dana K. Haffar

Dana K. Haffar was born and raised in Beirut. During the Lebanese War, she obtained a BA in English Literature from the American University of Beirut and an MLitt in English Literature from Oxford University, UK. Since, she has led a peripatetic existence. She has lived in Greece, Spain, England and South Africa.

Out of a love for books and languages, she chose a career in writing and editing. She...more

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