The Mortal Sleep by Gregory Ashe

The Mortal Sleep by Gregory Ashe

...a dark tale of perseverance and pride, depicting many of the hardest lessons the world imposes on those deemed different. Self Publishing Review

As a gay man growing up in a theocratic society, Bilal is in constant danger of arrest. His father wants to get him married as quickly as possible and has picked out a bride, a prospect that dismays Bilal. He hastily decides to flee, leaving family and studies behind, and joins friends travelling to Turkey. On the journey he falls for Fran ois, a handsome Canadian, and on reaching Ankara they spend a romantic evening together, but Fran ois has to return to Canada suddenly, and Bilal rejoins his friends.

Bilal's encounter with Fran ois was gloriously penned and resonant for any reader invested in the power of human connection... Readers Favourite

In Turkey Bilal and his friends are illegal immigrants, faced daily with problems of survival. Bilal gets involved with disreputable characters, and ends up working in a high class gay spa, struggling to save money. His first attempt to cross the border into Europe ends in tragedy, and he is forced to earn money for another escape attempt. This time he is treated kindly by an elderly Turk who gives him shelter and asks nothing in return. Eventually Bilal will try once again to get to Europe, confronting unscrupulous human traffickers and a dangerous sea voyage.
a valuable testament to the resilience of love in any circumstance. Self Publishing Review.