Review: Red Ink

Red Ink (Extreme Devotion - Book 3) by Kathi Macias

Publication Date: October 2010
Publisher: New Hope Publishers
Genre: Christian Fiction
ISBN-13: 9781596692794
ISBN: 1596692790

(Received for review from Pump Up Your Book Promotions)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders, Christianbook.com, IndieBound

If you live in Morehead, KY or the surrounding area:

Purchase from our local independent bookseller, CoffeeTree Books
Borrow from our local library, The Rowan County Public Library

Author's Website: www.kathimacias.com
Author's Facebook: Click HERE!
Excerpt: Click HERE! (courtesy of Camy's Loft)
Other Books in the series: No Greater Love, More Than Conquerors
Book Trailer:



Synopsis (Book Blurb):

ZHEN-LI - RAISED TO OBSERVE THE PARTY LINE.

Including its one-child-per-family policy - falls in love, 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 beings 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.

Thoughts:

The Extreme Devotion series by Kathi Macias is second to none in Christian Fiction. Red Ink, the third book in the series, is no exception. Kathi Macias is a Christian writer who understands the hardships that some are willing to face to show their devotion to God. Most people are content to say they are a Christian until circumstances get difficult or may cause them some unease. But, there are those out there that take a stand for their faith no matter what happens to them, from imprisonment to death.

Red Ink is loosely based on the life of Christian magazine editor Li Ying who is serving a ten year prison sentence in China. Zhen-Li went against convention and the wishes of her family when she married a Christian man, Zhou Chi and converted to his faith. Her parents and disowned her but were still under pressure from the government because Zheng-Li was pregnant with a second child. China's one child per family rule meant that Zheng-Li was expected to have an abortion but she refused. Eventually, her parents paid to have her abducted and her child aborted.

It was then that Zheng-Li relied on her faith to get her through the ordeal. She began handing out Christian literature and teaching the local children about God. She was eventually put into prison where her ministry once again thrived as she ministered to other prisoners and even her guards. One guard was basically out to get Zheng-Li and she was tortured beyond what most people could have survived. Two women in America began praying for an unknown woman in prison in China and God used their prayers to bring about something great.

This book, like the other books in the series, focuses on situations where people are compelled to stand up for what they believe in, regardless of what will happen to them. This kind of faith is rare and the people who have it are very close to God's will and understand that He will reward them for it. I found this entire series, very very emotional. It made me thankful for the fact that I have not had to suffer under such circumstances. It made me reflective of those who do go through such hardship. And it made me want to do something for God. I didn't know what it was, but I felt compelled to do something. I believe if a book can make you feel something, whatever the emotion, the author has succeeded.

Kathi Macias has a knack for understanding what will evoke emotion in the reader. Her style of writing is very smooth and makes the reader feel as if they are right there with the characters. Zheng-Li's character was exceptionally well written. The reader was able to see where she was coming from and what made her take her stand and I believe it would give courage to others who are facing impossible odds and heartbreaking situations in their own lives. Zheng-Li knew that what she did might cost her life, but she believed God so much that it didn't matter, now that's extreme devotion!

Red Ink is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




Award-winning author Kathi Macias has written more than 20 books and is a popular speaker for women's retreats, conferences, and churches. A mother and grandmother, Kathi and her husband, Al, call California their home.