First Chapter Review: The Moses Quilt by Kathi Macias

The Moses Quilt is a contemporary women's fiction novel by multi-award-winning Christian author Kathi Macias. This book was recently voted the January Fiction Book of the Month by The Book Club Network. Kathi is on tour with this novel with Pump Up Your Book.

BLURB: The Moses Quilt is a contemporary novel that bridges racial and generational divides. With a realistic and compassionate look into a twenty-first-century dilemma, multiple award-winning author Kathi Macias introduces readers to a confused and apprehensive young woman, Mazie Hartford. Facing major decisions about the love of her life and her future, she must also wrestle with a nagging question about her family's past. She finds the answer to her questions in a most unexpected way—her great-grandmother's Moses quilt. As her great-grandmother begins to explain how each patch represents a story of courage and freedom, Mazie must decide if she has the courage and freedom to overcome her own personal fears and prejudices.

COVER: Beautiful. It's definitely lovelier up close than this picture gives it credit for. The picture of Harriet Tubman alongside the young woman that represents Mazie is a personal touch, while the miniature quilt adds a colorful contrast.

FIRST CHAPTER: As this chapter opens, Mazie Hartford recalls the time she visited her great-grandmother in Prattville, Alabama for the summer. Now living with her great-grandmother and mother in California, she is contemplating the proposal of her boyfriend, Edward Clayton. Her great-grandmother, Mimi, is wondering how her life has come to this: living in a strange place, eating flavorless food, and tied to a wheelchair.

KEEP READING: As a history lover, I knew I would be attracted to this new series. My daughter recently put together a poster and oral report on Harriet Tubman for school, so the history of this American hero is fresh in my mind. While the reader doesn't get into this aspect in the first chapter, the scene is being set for the story to unfold. Told from Mazie's and Mimi's points of view, we find a conflicted young woman who is struggling over a marriage proposal and an infirm elderly woman forced to live out however many days God has given her on this earth in a place so different than her beloved home in the south. Right away, Macias gets you caring about the characters you will traveling with over the next 200+ pages. She makes clear their personalities and their struggles. By dropping you right into the conflict, this chapter encourages the reader to continue. I can't wait to see how Tubman fits into this whole picture and how the story evolves.



Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: New Hope Publishers (January 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596693584
ISBN-13: 978-1596693586

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. The author paid me to promote her book through a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. This fee did not include a review. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Book Review: The Deliverer by Kathi Macias

Christian fiction at its best is what the Freedom Series by Kathi Macias is all about.

In the third and final book, Mara is faced with a multitude of choices. Though she fears men, she can't shake her feelings for Jonathan, the Bible student who saved her from life as a sex slave. But what man would want a damaged woman like her? And what about her family? Should she return to Mexico to face the people who sold her into slavery? Perhaps even more important, can she receive God's forgiveness and also forgive those who have hurt and betrayed her?

Jonathan is dealing with his own struggles. He can't shake his feelings for Mara, though he's fairly certain she wants nothing to do with him. Then there's Sarah, his sister's best friend. She's been crushing on him for years. Should he try getting to know her better?

Lawan was a sex slave in Thailand, where she watched her older sister die in the brothel. Now rescued, she has been adopted by a family in America, who is also caring for her younger sister. She misses Thailand, the people at the orphanage, and her deceased parents and older sister. Will she ever be happy with her family in America?

The Deliverer is a story of forgiveness, faith, and God's infinite love. This heartrending, emotional story of lives affected by human trafficking will move you beyond words. Having read the first two books in the series (Deliver Me From Evil and Special Delivery), I had high expectations for this book. I was not disappointed. The lives of the Flannerys, Sarah, Mara, Lawan, and numerous other characters have captured my heart. I feel like these people could be my neighbors and friends.

I've read several books by Kathi Macias over the years. With The Deliverer, she continues to grow in her craft and glorify God. She doesn't shy away from tackling the tough subjects. In this series, and this book in particular, characters are put to the test. Can they move beyond the horrible crimes that have brought them together? This way of life is over for Mara and Lawan, but it still exists for many others out there. Mara has even been instrumental in helping another young girl affected by human trafficking. Macias brings a tough issue to light, which encourages them to get involved.

A masterfully told story that shows the wonder of how God works in our lives, The Deliverer is a must read. While a stand alone novel, I feel it best to read the other books in the series first so one can follow the characters along their journeys.

Highly recommended!

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: New Hope Publishers (August 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596693088
ISBN-13: 978-1596693081
SRP: $14.99 (Also available in electronic formats)



I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. The author paid me a fee to promote this book with a virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book. This tour did not include compensation for a review. I have not been paid to share my thoughts on this book.

This is the 41st book I've read for the following challenge:

It is the 25th I've read for the following challenge:

Book Review and Giveaway: A Christmas Journey Home by Kathi Macias

After her siblings and parents are murdered in gang-and drug-related violence in Mexico, Isabella Alcantara's grandfather begs her to flee the country with her husband, Francisco. Her abuelo uses his life savings to hire a "coyote" to take a very pregnant Isabella and Francisco across the border. The young couple soon finds themselves alone in the desert and without a penny.

Miriam Nelson lives on a small farm along the Arizona border. Her faith is put to the test when her husband, a border patrol agent, is murdered in a skirmish with drug smugglers. Now the sole support of their son, Davey, the only help she has is her mother, whose health is in question.

As Isabella's due date arrives, she finds herself alone without any idea of how she will care for her baby. Their paths destined to collide, these two women soon discover a common yearning that binds them together.

Outstanding! A modern-day nativity story that blends a ripped from the headlines situation, a crisis of faith, and a grandfather's intercession. I think I have discovered a new favorite book by Kathi Macias.

With her masterful hand, Macias wows the reader with this story that tackles the issue of illegal immigration so prevalent in today's news. Portrayed in an even-handed way, you may never look at this issue the same again. Just like Joan Hochstetler did with One Holy Night, Macias weaves a tale that tugs at your heart and brings the reader to kneel before the feet of the Prince of Peace.

A superb story, don't be surprised if reading A Christmas Journey Home becomes one of your family's holiday traditions. Don't miss this one!

Title: A Christmas Journey Home
Author:  Kathi Macias
Publisher:  New Hope Publishers
ISBN-10: 1596693282
ISBN-13: 978-1596693289
SRP:  $12.99

Now that you've read how wonderful this book is, don't you won't to own one? Here's how you can enter for your chance to win a FREE copy from New Hope Publishers, Kathi  Macias, and The Book Connection!

1) You must be a follower of The Book Connection in order to win.

2) Leave a comment including your email address (you can't win if we don't have your email address).

3) BONUS: Follow me on Facebook +1.

4) BONUS: Follow me on Twitter +1.

5) BONUS: Blog about this contest. Leave link here +3.

6) Winner must be 18 years of age or older and reside in the United States or Canada.

7) Each entry must be a separate comment.

Deadline to enter is 11:59 PM Eastern on Sunday, November 13, 2011. Only those following the rules of this contest are eligible to win. Book will be shipped via USPS media mail. The Book Connection is not responsible for lost or damaged goods.

The author paid me to promote her book with a virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book. That fee did not include a review. I have received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide my honest opinions.

More Than Conquerors by Kathi Macias -- Book Review

Lives collide answering God's call in More than Conquerors by Kathi Macias.

Hector Rodriguez is the pastor of Casa de Dios, a church located on the outskirts of Tijuana. The situation in Mexico is tense, as those with Mayan beliefs grow more violent as 2012 approaches. Hector's mother, Virginia, lives in San Juan Chamula, the heart of the Mayan hostilities. When she disappears--not unlike other Christian witnesses--Hector finds it difficult to continue his work.

Marty, Hector's protege, arrives right out of Bible college hoping to help Hector expand his ministry, but Marty is still unsure of what God is calling him to do. It doesn't help that Marty's mother won't support his decision to follow his calling or even believe in the faith Marty holds so dear.

A woman, known as la Abuela, struggles with the knowledge that her grandson has sworn off the faith she shared with him and has turned to the gangs responsible for so much of the violence in Tijuana.

When tragedy strikes, these families are drawn together. While someone's faith wavers, the love and support of friends and family, along with the grace of a loving God, leads to the revelation of His plans for all and gives hope for the future.

In this explosive second installment of Macias's Extreme Devotion series, readers follow the journeys of three families whose lives intersect. With this book, Macias has created a beautiful, heartrending story which you'll want to read again the moment you're finished.

Proving what a masterful storyteller she is, Macias weaves the stories of her characters' lives in such a way that you can't help but care for them--even those who aren't always likable. You sympathize with these people, you understand their conflicts, and you want to see God's plan revealed in all its glory as much as these characters need to see it.

Having now read both books in the Extreme Devotion series--No Greater Love, More Than Conquerors--I eagerly anticipate the release of the next book in this series, Red Ink, this fall.

A contemporary thriller that will remain on your mind long after you've turned the last page, More Than Conquerors is one of the best books I've read this year.


Title: More Than Conquerors
Author: Kathi Macias
Publisher: New Hope Publishers
ISBN-10: 1596692839
ISBN-13: 978-1596692831
SRP: $14.99

No Greater Love by Kathi Macias - Blog Blast

As you know, Kathi Macias has been on a virtual book tour this month to promote the first book in her new four-book Extreme Devotion series, No Greater Love. Released by New Hope Publishers, this series promises to be some of Macias's finest work.

Jerry Jenkins, coauthor of the Left Behind series, had this to say about No Greater Love, "A sweeping epic...You'll feel as if you were there."

You can view the video trailer for this book at YouTube.

No Greater Love by Kathi Macias explores the evils of Apartheid while exposing the hope and courage that finally brought it down. Beginning with a forbidden romance, this story follows the unexpected heroine in her pursuit of honor, love, and sacrifice, ending with a promise of peace that floats on the wind and echoes in the heart of all mankind.

I felt honored to have been asked to provide an endorsement for this book. It is one of the most powerful books I've ever read.

Next month, Macias will go on a virtual book tour to promote the second book in this series, More than Conquerors.

With violent crime on the rise and the political climate changing throughout Mexico, the opportunity for open Christian witness is rapidly decreasing in many areas. Hector Rodriguez pastors a church on the outskirts of the once-peaceful and tourist-popular border town of Tijuana. He has also visited other small churches in the remote and not-so-Christian-friendly towns of Chiapas state, delivering Bibles and ministering to those in the most persecuted areas.

Hector’s mother accompanied him on one of those trips and stayed behind to teach reading—using the Bible as her primer—to a handful of Christian converts living among the Mayan population in San Juan Chamula, where superstition and paganism run rampant, and resentment of outsiders runs deep. In a reaction to that superstition and resentment, Hector’s mother pays a serious price for her unwanted presence—and Hector must then choose whether or not to continue his work in some of the most dangerous areas of Mexico.

View the trailer at YouTube!



New Hope Publishers has termed this new series, "Fiction with a Mission". You can read Kathi's post about this here.

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer and radio show host who has authored 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley.

You can find Kathi online at www.kathimacias.com and at her blog http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com

I've been a fan of Kathi's work for quite a while now. She never ceases to amaze me. Every book of hers that I read, whether it be fiction or nonfiction, touches me in some way.

If you've never read any of Kathi's books, I highly suggest you start with this new series. You won't be able to put these books down!