Book Review: Door to Freedom by Jana Kelley

“It’s rough and it’s smooth. It’s dark and it’s light. It’s a masterpiece. It’s us. Here in Sudan. We are scared of it and drawn to it. There is an open door, and there is much opposition.”

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia, who is raising her family in a Muslim country, has learned to boldly share her faith. Rania, the daughter of a wealthy Sudanese Arab, seeks to find the reason for her sister’s sudden disappearance. Mia holds some of the answers, but both women quickly discover they must each walk through their own doors to freedom—the freedom that only comes when you trust God’s sovereignty more than man-made security.

Part of New Hope^® Publishers’ line of contemporary missional fiction, Door to Freedom, the sequel to Side by Side, opens the reader’s eyes to modern-day persecution and the life of Muslims in Sudan. Based on real-life events, Door to Freedom also reveals some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as for the salvation of the persecutors.

SERIES: Side by Side #2
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction
PUBLISHER: New Hope
RELEASE DATE: February 6, 2017
PAGES: 224

Other Books In This Series

“Sudan is only safe if you follow its rules.”

Door to Freedom is a compelling story about two women and their experiences with Jesus in a country opposed to him.

Rania is a Muslim girl who wants to be an artist. She has access to the book of John (though secretively) and finds it captivating, the almost poetic words filling gaps in her heart. Mia is an American woman living in Sudan with her young family, Christians who work with a refugee aid organization.

Given my friendships with several Muslim women, I smiled at many scenes in this story and wept at others (the baptism!).  It reads almost like a memoir in many ways and is inspired by the author’s own experiences, which makes it all the more poignant in my opinion. Readers will get an inside look at Sudanese and Muslim culture as well as a more personal perspective into Muslims as people, not just news reports.  We also see what it’s like to be a Christian in a hostile country – and two opinions on how to approach it. (Side note: Several years ago, before I started working with Muslims, I would have totally been Beth.)

Bottom Line:  This is a quick read but a powerful one. Hopefully readers will finish the story with a softer heart toward Muslims, a greater understanding of the importance of relationship in introducing them to Jesus, and more appreciations for the freedoms and conveniences we so often take for granted. I was inspired by Michael and Mia and their courage as well as their honesty. I’m looking forward to book 3!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received via the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Love it!

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Jana Kelley is a Texan who hardly ever lives in Texas. Raised in Southeast Asia, Jana developed a love for cross-cultural living early in life. Her love for writing came soon after. Jana returned to Texas to attend East Texas Baptist University. She and her husband married a month after she graduated and by their second anniversary, they were living in a remote African town. After thirteen years living in Africa and the Middle East, Jana, her husband, and their three boys, moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live. Jana has authored two novels and two devotional books. You can learn more about Jana at www.JanaKelley.com.

You can also connect with Jana on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

What about you? What do you think would be the hardest part of living in a country hostile to Jesus? What would be the biggest blessing?