Special Delivery: Review & Giveaway

Deliver Me from Evil, the first book in Kathi Macias' Freedom Series, which exposes the horrors of human trafficking, left me anxiously awaiting the arrival of Special Delivery.

This second book is the continuing story of Mara, a young woman once enslaved in a human trafficking ring, and Jonathan the pizza boy turned Bible college student who aided in her rescue. Their relationship, which is strained at best, gives insight into the deep emotional trauma experienced by someone who has been victimized so severely. I'm now anxious for the final book in the series, The Deliverer, to see how things progress.

I am thankful that the beginning of Special Delivery was a refresher of sorts because it had been awhile since I read Deliver Me from Evil. Within minutes of picking it up, I was completely engrossed. So much so, that I read it from cover to cover. I found it impossible to put down with the character's lives hanging in the balance. For me the book was riveting. Just as it is with a really good movie, by the time I'd finished the book, I was emotionally spent. This is something that I've rarely experienced from a fictional work.

It was all-too-real.

Special Delivery: Author Interview

Today I have the privilege of interviewing one of my favorite Christian fiction authors, Kathi Macias. What an honor it is to get inside of the heart and mind of this very bright and gifted writer.

Over the past year I've read at least a half dozen of her books. Each one has educated and challenged me as a Christian. I would venture to say that there is no writer in the world of Christian fiction who has impacted my life in the way that Kathi has. I'm grateful for the gift that God has given her and the ways in which He is using her to shed light on very critical issues in our society.

I recently read Special Delivery. It was impossible to put down, as in I read it from cover to cover. I was compelled to know what was going to happen next. I will post my review separately but let me simply say that it is impossible to adequately describe the impact that both of the books in the Freedom Series have had on my life. I can hardly wait for book #3.

When the manger is empty

Have you ever wondered what kind of day Joseph, Mary and Jesus had the day after His birth?  If the story goes the way that we've seen it portrayed in Christmas programs, I have often wondered what the morning after was like for them. They experienced a night of angelic choirs, slept under a star of wonder, and worshipped with shepherds.

But what happened after that? Did they register for the census? Where did they go? What did they eat? Who did they meet? Did people continue to visit and worship the newborn King? Or were they tired, hungry, cold and feeling the effects of  "adrenaline letdown" after all of the excitement?

Emmanuel

There is a word that I absolutely love. Something about it drips with a sweetness which I cannot quite explain.

Each time I hear it the beat of my heart quickens as the droning of the familiar noises of the day are suddenly pushed further into the distance. Sometimes they are even silenced momentarily as this four syllable word crosses my mind or escapes my lips.

Emmanuel.

Making room for Jesus

"So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:6-7

What a trip.
At the time of Jesus’ birth a census was being conducted which required people to return to their place of origin. It was while Joseph and Mary were traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem that Jesus made His entrance into the world. Can you imagine being 9 months pregnant and riding on a donkey?

Deliver Me From Evil-Interview with Kathi

Today, I am delighted to feature an interview with author Kathi Macias. Her latest book Deliver Me From Evil is what I would consider to be a "must read." You can check out my review of the book here.

Here's Kathi with more on the book:

How did you come up with the idea for Deliver Me From Evil and the Freedom series?

It actually came out of a phone conversation with Andrea Mullins, the publisher at New Hope. We were discussing the Extreme Devotion series (about the persecuted Church), which I was still working on at the time, and we began to consider topics for a second series. Andrea was the one who suggested human trafficking, and it really struck a chord with me. The more I researched it and worked on the proposal, the more excited I became about joining forces with others working to abolish modern-day slavery, which is exactly what human trafficking is.

Deliver Me From Evil-Review

The book: Deliver Me From Evil (book #1 in the Freedom Series) introduces readers to Mara, an eighteen-year-old girl who has been enslaved for nearly ten years, having been sold by her parents in Mexico and then smuggled across the border into San Diego where she was forced into sexual slavery. Readers will also meet 18-year-old, Bible-college-bound Jonathan and his 16-year-old sister, Leah, whose paths cross Mara’s and who become involved in her dramatic rescue.

Interwoven between the stories of Mara, Jonathan, and Leah is the heartbreaking story of another young woman in captivity in the Golden Triangle of Thailand, whose past life mysteriously connects to the young people in San Diego. This book captures the reader from the start. You'll want to read it from beginning to end.
 
The review: Kathi Macias is a masterful story-teller. This year, I have read a half dozen of her books and have found each one to be far more than a good fictional read. They go deep touching on sensitive issues within our society in a way that is educational, informative and challenging.

Behind the scenes of A Christmas Journey Home

Today we are taking a "behind the scenes" look at Kathi Macias' latest book A Christmas Journey Home which I found to be a phenomenal read. Please be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a FREE copy of the book. You'll find details about the giveaway at the end of this post.

At first glance you might think that A Christmas Journey Home is simply a fictional "holiday read." However, it is so much more. It is a window into the world of illegal immigration. And, it's a mirror which allows us to reflect.

When dealing with the issues, such as illegal immigration, we often do a lot of generalizing based on our own personal thoughts. Because of our tendency to see things only from one perspective our view is very often tainted. One-sided. Even prejudiced.

Church Diversity: A review

"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best over 45 years ago: "We must face the sad fact that at 11 o'clock on Sunday morning, when we stand to sing…we stand in the most segregated hour in America." What an unfortunate reality that many of us still face today! Have you heard the question, "is your church a white church or a black church?" No, it's God's church!"

The year was 1989 and the place was Detroit, MI. We’d been flailing in our attendance for a number of months when our friend, who was a worship leader at a dynamic inner city church, invited us to visit.

I really didn’t know what to expect having spent all of my life in mainline denominational churches.Visiting a non-denominational service piqued my interest. What could possibly be better than worshipping with friends? Those were some of the thoughts running through my mind the night before we attended our first service.

Silent Saturday

In the Gospels very little is said about this day...the day after the crucifixion. Jesus’ body was quietly and quickly tucked away late on Friday afternoon so that the Jewish believers could keep the Sabbath holy. I've often wondered what took place on this "silent Saturday."

There are some things that we can surmise.
This was a day like none other for the followers of Christ. It followed a night when one of them had betrayed Him, and another had denied Him three times. Worse yet they had been present while their teacher, leader, and friend was cruelly put to death.