It is not very often that a Christian fiction book has the power to keep me up at night. People of the Book did more than that. It challenged my commitment to Christ and caused me to question just how far I would be willing to go to hold on to my relationship with Him in the face of trials and or persecution. I am still thinking about many things since reading this book. I'll share some of them as a part of my review in another post.
Please be sure you don't miss the important contest information tucked within this interview. You'll find out everything you need to know to win all four books in the series in this post. Good luck and enjoy!
Here is more from Kathi:
How is People of the Book different, and who/what inspired you to write this book?
People of the Book was the most difficult of the four Extreme Devotion series books to write, but it is also the strongest when it comes to a call to personal commitment to Christ and to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. With each of the books, I began drafting the manuscripts through Internet research, since I had never lived in any of the four countries and had only visited one of them. After the original draft, I worked with someone who either currently lived in the country or who had recently spent many years there.
People of the Book was the toughest because the Saudi women I connected with via the Internet were understandably apprehensive about associating with me. Most, in fact, were terrified to do so. I was therefore quite pleased to meet a young woman named Dolly Dahdal here in the States who, until just a few years ago, had spent the majority of her life in Saudi Arabia and understood perfectly why I had chosen to write this book. We shared a passion to help expose the fallacy of “honor killings,” a horrific crime perpetrated primarily against women and girls who in some way bring “dishonor” on their Muslim families, and Dolly was a major contributor to the authenticity of this book.
Can you give us a brief synopsis of this story?
Eighteen-year-old Farah, who lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with her family, wants nothing more than to develop a deeper, more meaningful devotion to her Muslim faith. She sees the month of Ramadan as her chance to draw nearer to Allah, and she pursues that goal throughout the holiday. All goes well until the prophet Isa—Jesus—appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself. At the same time, her only brother, Kareem, who has never liked Farah, actively seeks an opportunity to expose her for the sham he believes she is.
Meanwhile, Farah’s seventeen-year-old cousin, Nura, has begun to frequent an online chat room where former Muslims gather to discuss their new faith, based on their belief that Isa is much more than a Muslim prophet—He is actually the Son of God. While there, Nura becomes acquainted with an American girl of Muslim ancestry—now a devout Christian named Sara—and a friendship quickly develops. However, Sara has problems of her own due to her fifteen-year-old brother Emir’s involvement with a gang.
The lives of Farah, Nura, and Sara ultimately dovetail until each finds herself at a place where her faith is put to the test. Will they remain faithful to the end? Will God protect and keep them safe in the midst of persecution and treachery? Or will they be required to pay the ultimate price for their faith?
Kathi, how did you get into writing? Has it always been your passion, or is it something you came to later in life?
I’ve always wanted to write, for as long as I can remember. I was an avid reader even before I started kindergarten. I wrote a short story in third grade that the teacher liked so much she showed it to the principal, and they decided to turn it into a play for the entire PTA. I was hooked! One day when I was about 13, I was walking home from school with my then boyfriend (now husband), Al, and I told him I’d be a writer some day. He often reminds me how blessed I am to have been able to do what I dreamed of all my life.
I understand you’re running a special contest that has to do with this book. Can you tell us about it?
Not only are there several opportunities to win a copy of the book on various blog sites included in this tour, but I’m giving away the entire four-book series at the end of the tour to someone who leaves a comment on one of the blogs, so be sure to check them all out and leave comments on each one!
In addition to writing, you are a popular speaker at women’s event, writers’ conferences, and various venues around the country. How can people find out more about you, your writing and speaking, sign up for your weekly devotional newsletter (in English or Spanish), and/or just view your many book videos, etc.?
They can find me at one of my websites (http://www.kathimacias.com/; http://www.thetitus2women.com/) or on my Easy Writer blog at http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/. There is a “contact” button on my Kathi Macias website if they’d like to send me a message. I always respond to all my emails!
I hope that you have enjoyed this interview. Don't forget to visit the various sites involved with this tour and enter to win copies of Kathi's book. You can find out more about the tour on Facebook here and you can also leave a comment on this post to be included in a blog tour drawing for all 4 books in the series.
[I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services.
6 comments:
Thanks so much for posting about my latest release, People of the Book. I look forward to hearing from your followers!
Hi Kathi! I loved this book. I've already passed it on to my neighbor. She stayed up late reading it, too. Today, I'm sharing it with someone else.
It's so rare for a Christian fiction book to prompt discussions but People of the Book has that ability. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.
God bless you!
I'm wondering if I should add that some place in this post? Do you mind, Karen? I am trying to win the set, too. :-)
I would love to read all of these books. I just started reading this one as a borrow from a friend!
I've read People of the Book and I thought it was fantastic! I lost almost a whole nights sleep because I couldn't wait to see what happened. I would love to read the rest of the books in the series!
It looks like an interesting and well researched read.
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