Friday, May 20, 2011

Book Review & Giveaway: People of the Book by Kathi Macias

A masterfully told story that is both timely and powerful, awaits you in People of the Book, the fourth and final installment of Kathi Macias's Extreme Devotion series.

What do you do when what you've most believed in changes?

Farah Mohammed Al Otaibi wants nothing more than to develop a deeper devotion to her Muslim faith. During the month of Ramadan, she hopes she will get her chance to draw nearer to Allah. Then the prophet Isa (Jesus) appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself.

A favorite of her father, he has allowed Farah many liberties, much to the anger of her brother, Kareem. He feels his father is too weak with the women. But Farah is certain even her loving father would not tolerate her accepting Isa as more than a prophet.

Farah's cousin Nura has already begun to consider that Isa may be more than her Muslim faith indicates. Nura explores the possibilities in an online chat room where she corresponds with Sara, a girl of Muslim ancestry who lives in the United States. Sara's family has converted to Christianity, and she shares the message of Jesus's salvation with Nura. When Farah approaches Nura to talk about her dream, the two girls are happily connected by their new discoveries; though they know if their infant faith were discovered, it would be disastrous for both of them.

As Farah's, Nura's, and Sara's worlds collide, a jealous brother seeks to uncover Farah and Nura's secret, while Sara experiences a crisis of faith.

Wow! Kathi Macias continues to amaze me. She has been my client and friend for the past few years. I've read her fiction and her nonfiction; but I have to say that with her Extreme Devotion series, and People of the Book especially, she has outdone herself.

Not only did she tackle the timely issue of honor killings, she created a powerfully told story, written by her masterful hand, that captivates the reader from the very first page. I have been astounded by all the books in this series:  No Greater Love, More Than Conquerors, Red Ink, and People of the Book. After each book I would say, "This is my favorite of the series." Without a doubt, People of the Book will remain my favorite.

The characters truly make this story all that it is. You have Farah who is called by Isa (Jesus) in a dream, throwing everything she has ever believed about her Muslim faith into an uproar. Nura has secretly been participating in a chat room to learn more about Isa. Both girls, know, however, that if they are discovered, it will mean death. Nura's friend, Sara, is on the other side of the world. When her once easy life is turned upside down, she's no longer sure of the faith she has been sharing with Nura.

Not only these characters, though. You have Kareem, who has always been jealous of Farah. He's willing to do whatever it takes to discredit her to their father. You also have Sara's brother, Emir, who makes some unwise choices that come with a very high price tag.

Macias connects all these lives so well. She's done this with some of the other books in this series, but here it's just amazing. I couldn't put the book down. I went to bed late many nights reading this one.

The ending is superb. I was crying right along with the characters.

The four books that make up this series are total stand-alones, each having its own set of characters and circumstances. I highly recommend reading all of them, but if you only have time for one, make it People of the Book. You won't be disappointed.


Title:  People of the Book
Author:  Kathi Macias
Publisher:  Hew Hope Publishers
ISBN-10: 1596692820
ISBN-13: 978-1596692824
SRP:  $14.99



The author paid me to promote her book via a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. This fee did not include a review. This review consists of my honest opinions, for which I received no monetary compensation.

 
Now that I've told you how amazing this book is, I'm sure you'll want to own a copy. Kathi Macias and New Hope Publishers, in conjunction with Pump Up Your Book, is offering our readers a FREE copy of People of the Book. Please see below the details of this contest. Only those who follow these guidelines are eligible to win.

1) You must be a follower or subscriber of The Book Connection to win.

2) Your first comment should state if you are a follower or a subscriber, and provide your email address.  You can't win if we don't have your email address.

3) One additional entry if you follow me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1110037692 Leave a comment to say you're now a follower.

4) One additional entry if you follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/ccmalandrinos Leave a comment to say you're now a follower.

5) Two additional entries if you Like Kathi on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kathi-Macias/75996188045 Leave two separate comments to say you're now following her.

6) Five additional entries if you blog about this giveaway. Post five separate comments to let us know you blogged about the contest and please leave a link.

7) You must be 18 years old and a resident of the US or Canada to be eligible to win.

Deadline for entries is 11:59PM Eastern on Sunday, May 29, 2011. Winner will be selected from all eligible entries received. The Book Connection will ship directly to the winner. Prize will be sent by USPS media mail. The Book Connection is not responsible for lost or damaged goods.

23 comments:

Ellen said...

I follow your blog and this sounds like an amazing book. Would love to win.

Kelly McClymer said...

Wow. I can tell you loved this book. Your review makes me want to pick it up and read it right away.

Kathi Macias said...

Thank you so much, Cheryl, for your positive review and enthusiastic endorsement of my book/series. This series has challenged me as a writer more than I ever imagined, but I am hearing from people around the world who have been blessed/encouraged by it, so it was worth every drop of blood, sweat and tears. Blessings!

Vidisha said...

sounds great

GFC follower

vidishamun@gmail.com

Cheryl said...

I'm glad it's making such a difference to readers everywhere. May God continue to bless your ministry.

V.R. Leavitt said...

Oh wow, this sounds like a great series. I will definitely have to check this out.

PoCoKat said...

GFC follower

littleone AT shaw DoT ca

PoCoKat said...

FB follower

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Like Kathi on FB 1

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Like Kathi on FB 2

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Posted to my blog 1:

http://mysteriesetc.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-connection-book-review-giveaway.html

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Posted to my blog 2:

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littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Posted to my blog 3:

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littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Posted to my blog 4:

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littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Posted to my blog 5:

http://mysteriesetc.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-connection-book-review-giveaway.html

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I follow by google reader under cenya2.
This book sounds like the type of storyline that I enjoy reading.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I liked your book giveaway on facebook under Marjorie R.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

#2 I liked this giveaway on facebook under Marjorie R.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Meredith said...

I'd love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!

meredithfl at gmail dot com
GFC follower

Meredith said...

FB follower

Meredith M.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Twitter follower @tessaa99

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Following Kathy on FB

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Following Kathi on FB 2

meredithfl at gmail dot com