Book Review: Red Ink

15 Dec

A young Chinese woman, Zhen-Li raised to observe the party line, including its one-child-per-family doctrine falls in love with and marries a Christian, and adopts his faith. Though the couple downplays their Christianity in an effort to survive, Zhen-Li’s family is appalled, and she and her husband are ostracized. When she becomes pregnant for the second time and refuses to have an abortion, the persecution begins in earnest. Zhen-Li’s parents, under pressure from the government, pay to have Zhen-Li kidnapped and the baby aborted. It is then Zhen-Li decides she must live up to her name Truth and take a firm stand for her faith, regardless of the consequences, and so she begins to regularly teach children about Zhu Yesu Lord Jesus and to distribute Christian literature every chance she gets. Based loosely on the life of Christian magazine editor Li Ying, currently serving a ten-year prison sentence in China, the story of Yang Zhen-Li tells the desperate tale of her incarceration and separation from her family, as she continues to minister to other prisoners, and even to her guards.

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 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.


Kathi is passionate about www.voiceofthemartyrs.com so check it out!

My Impressions:

Red Ink is another great book in the Extreme Devotion series by Kathi Macias.   The novel follows the life of Zhen-Li, imprisoned for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in the oppressive environment of China.  But while the book focuses on the hardships, persecution and oppression of Chinese Christians, it also takes a look at the ongoing call for prayer by all Christians.

Julia and Laura are elderly residents in an assisted care home.  But their days of ministry are not over – far from it.  These two prayer warriors continue to pray for their fellow residents and families.  And when they feel the call of God to pray for someone in China, they are obedient  to the call.  They heed God’s leading to pray specifically for a woman at risk in China – you decide who that one might be.  Ever open to opportunities to pray, they also begin fervent prayer for a fellow resident and her granddaughter.

Zhen-Li lives a life of extreme devotion, continuing to share her faith even within the walls that imprison her.  Laura and Julia are also extreme in their devotion, continuing to be in prayer and in tune to their Lord.

Red Ink is an eye-opener on the trials of Christians in China.  It is also a heart-opener for those who heed it’s message of fervent prayer and bold living for Christ.  If you want to live a dynamic life in Christ, pick up Kathi Macias’s new book to get a glimpse of just what it might take.

Highly Recommended.

To learn more about Li Ying, a Chinese prisoner for Christ and other persecuted Christians around the world, click here.

2 Responses to “Book Review: Red Ink”

  1. Cheryl Malandrinos December 15, 2010 at 9:01 am #

    Thanks for the great review of Kathi’s latest book. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. I just finished reading it too and found it to be very powerful and moving. I can’t wait for the fourth book.

    Red Ink was recently voted the ACFW book club choice for April 2011. I hope your readers will visit Kathi’s website to learn more about all her books.

    Thanks again. Wishing you and your readers a blessed Christmas.

    Cheryl

  2. Kathi Macias December 15, 2010 at 9:13 am #

    Thank you so much for the gracious review of Red Ink and also for the link to learn/pray about Li Ying, the woman whose courageous life inspired the story. Blessings!

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