Deliver Me from Evil 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.
Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 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 won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time buzzing around in their new ride: Al’s 2005 sunburst orange Corvette. Here latest releases are Deliver Me From Evil and A Christmas Journey Home.
You can find out more about Kathi’s writing and speaking at www.kathimacias.com.
My Impressions:
Kathi Macias delivers another thought-provoking and heart-reaching novel in her newest book, Deliver Me From Evil, book 1 in the Freedom series. If you don’t like uncomfortable subjects, don’t pick up this book. But if you want to discover God’s heart for those in bondage, Kathi’s book is for you.
Jonathan Flannery is your typical high school senior counting the days to graduation. Not sure of who he wants to become, he pursues baseball by day and delivers pizza by night. His life is predictable until he encounters two young girls with fear in their eyes. Jonathan’s world turns upside down when he reluctantly believes he has encountered modern day slavery. Mara has been trapped in sexual slavery since she was 6 years old. Her dreams for freedom have long since faded. She hopes now only for survival. But when she encounters a young pizza delivery man, hope seems to take a tentative root in her heart. A parallel story unfolds across the world in Thailand where Chanthra has toiled in the sex business since her adoption. Her only solace is in the drugs provided by the boss to get her through the days. Her heart of compassion is awakened by young Lawan who comes to share her room and nightmare existence. Can God really be aware of what is going on in these women’s lives?
Kathi Macias uncovers the dark secrets of human trafficking — the reality that it exists not only in far away countries, but in the towns and neighborhoods of America. The subject will tear at your heart, but Macias never sensationalizes it. The nightmare lives of those in bondage are presented with just enough details. Still this is a story that will break your heart. It is also a story of hope as those called by God respond to become abolitionists in the fight against modern day slavery. And I think it is a story for all Christians to hear and respond to. Well written and researched, Deliver Me From Evil is a must read for those who believe God can free the captives.
Highly Recommended.
(I received Deliver Me From Evil from Pump Up Your Book in return for a review. The opinions expressed are mine alone)
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Monday, October 3rd
Book reviewed at 4 the Love of Books
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Wednesday, October 5th
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Thursday, October 6th
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Friday, October 7th
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Book reviewed and giveaway at The Book Connection
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Book reviewed at Life in Review
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Book reviewed at Reviews by Molly
Book reviewed at Freda’s Voice
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Friday, October 14th
Book reviewed at Words I Write Crazy
Book reviewed at Legacy of a Writer
TBD: One Day at a Time
Thank you for the detailed and lovely review of Kathi’s latest. I’m glad you liked it. She definitely doesn’t write fluff. I just finished this book. Wow! I hope your readers check it out.
Cheryl
Thanks so much for the positive and thoughtful post about my latest release, Deliver Me From Evil. Just as it is a difficult book to read, it was a difficult book (and series) to write–but, I believe, a necessary one. As believers, we cannot remain ignorant of this evil that has enslaved and destroyed so many young lives. Jesus calls us to help the weak and needy–and this is certainly a worse-case scenario. Blessings to you and your readersQ