Every human spirituality is composed of rituals, rites of passages, & sacred ceremonies. Having been born into a traditionalist and conservative family in Luoland Kenya, Khira is determined to share this with her daughter Loyana-even if it is against her husband's expressed wishes. Loyana is of the age to go through the Initiation, one of Luoland's more important Rites of Passage, and she is as eager as her mother to see it through. So they lie and have the Initiation performed in Luoland. A day later, during a weekend safari trip in the remote and breath-taking Tsavo National Park, the ladies of the Lindquist family are still determined to keep their secret although Loyana falls seriously sick as a result of the Initiation she underwent. Loyana unfortunately reacts badly to the traditional herbs used during the Initiation and becomes deathly ill, her mother Khira shouldering overwhelming guilt for inadvertently poisoning her beloved child. When her husband Erik learns of the betrayal he is overcome with grief and rage, and another unfortunate and tragic event leads to Khira lying next to her daughter in a coma. Desperate to save his wife and daughter Erik is willing to do whatever it takes to get them the medical help they need-but in the remote stretches of Tsavo, that means dangerous dealings and bribery. Will help arrive in time for mother and daughter? Or will the Initiation be the beginning of the end?"This is not only exotic, culturally stimulating and not run-of-the-mill Harlequin, it's an intercultural study. The book is for the discerning and culturally savvy Africanists. Ever heard of A Many Splendoured Thing? Well this is the African version of that." Karen Ammond, Elite Professionals Magazine