Syria: Sea Side Story

An English literature professor from the little Mediterranean city of Tartous and a Syrian-Canadian writer on a trip to her mother country exchange glances at a cafe called Sea Breeze. That's how Mariyah and Abu Fares chose to start their adventure, and their readers' new addiction.

A low rumble in my stomach broke into my daydream as a waft of spices and seafood drifted enticingly by me. I felt a...