Nikki Arana

As another reviewer said it so well; this story "steps into the arena of controversy between followers of Jesus, moderate Muslims, and radical Muslims. Through her characters she clearly shows the joy of finding Jesus and forgiveness as well as the cost of choosing this new faith." This was a book of suspense that grabs you and keeps you reading and wondering what will happen to these people in the story. Who can you really trust? You can tell the author knows her story well and has worked in the Christian underground in Egypt and has helped the persecuted in her own life. It was a story that opened my eyes to how to love and help those we really don't understand and know. It can only be done through the power of love that the Lord can give a person.

Austia Donatelli, works ministering to Muslims in The United States. She runs a career center and helps them find jobs and teaches English classes to Muslim women at night, showing them Chrisitan love through her work. After an honor killing of a young woman that she helped by showing her the way of salvation, causing her to leave Islam, Austia begins to be aware that she is being tracked and watched by the radical Muslims.

Zaki, a man who works for Hussein, a local radical leader, shows up at the career center to act as an interpretor and supposedly help Austia in her work. Scared and distrustful of him, Austia continues her work, but finds trouble and danger brewing all around her. As the radical Islamists continue to get closer to Austia, the tension grows. The author writes a gripping story around this tension, giving us a look into the lives of those caught up in radical Muslim power and hate. And not everyone is who you think they are! So beware!… (més)

Antonio and Angelica will face a great battle in their lives as their son Manuel is stricken with childhood cancer. (In order to know this family, you really should read books one and two in the series, as it will make this story much easier to understand what is going on with the other characters in this story.) Both parents set out to do all they can to help their son find a donor for Manuel. But will it be in time?

I will warn you that you might need a few Kleenex by the time you are done with this story. The author handled a very heart wrenching topic, made it seem very real and pulled at my heartstrings. I don't want to spoil the ending, but will say this was a very real story for me and thought the author did a great job!… (més)

There was a good message throughout this story. The author at the end stated it well: "every child is born perfect for God's plans and purposes. . . sometimes we are called to pray not for the healing of the child, but for the healing of the heart of man."

This is book two in this series and to fully appreciate Angelica and Antonio Perez and their struggles through their marriage, you need to read how they got where they are at, by reading book one, "The Winds of Sonoma'. This is a young couple who have a deep love and commitment to each other, but the background of each brings a little conflict into their marriage, along with the news that their firstborn baby could possibly have health concerns. I really appreciated Antonio's perspective on this little unborn chid and his patience and understanding with his wife, Angelica.

One of my favorite quotes from this story is what Angelica will finally come to realize about her baby. "She had been so focused on the fact that her world was not as she wanted it, she had been unable to see that her world was as God had allowed it." She will eventually turn her face towards heaven and "thank Him for the life He had given her, exactly as it was. Asking His forgiveness for her blindness." Appreciated how the author handled this very hard topic of knowing your child might not be like all the other children, and being able to love and be content with God's perfect plan.… (més)

Angelica is a "rising star" in a law firm and a only daughter to a wealthy horse-ranch family. She has it all, but realizes that money can't buy happiness. She makes a life-changing decision and walks away from her job (because of a case she would not take on). She finds herself back home on the ranch, trying to find a job helping the poor and standing up against injustice to them.

Antonio is a determined young man who has fled his poverty-stricken home in Guadalajara, Mexicon, and has illegally crossed the border and is found bearly alive by a man in the desert. He finds himself employed by Angelica's parents. Angelica wants to help Antonio learn English and have him help her with her Spanish. From there love will bloom, but her parents want more for their daughter.

Both will see that their worlds are far apart. But can faith, love and a selfless commitment to each other be enough. I felt the author did a great job of making this story seem real. It also did a good job of helping you see the vast differences in the thinking and attitudes of those who have it all and those who have learned to live with nothing. I look forward to reading the next story in this series and see where this story will take me.… (més)