Three women. Three impossible circumstances. One merciful God.
Mia, an American Christian, has lived in Sudan so long that persecution, harassment, and danger have become commonplace for her. Her tough outer shell threatens to harden her heart while her newly Christian friends, Halimah and Rania, former Muslims, are forced to live in exile outside Sudan.
All three quickly discover that escaping danger in one place only means facing even greater challenges elsewhere. As God’s mercy becomes evident in their lives, they must choose whether or not to offer mercy to those who don’t deserve it.
Third in a trilogy, Mercy Triumphs opens the reader’s eyes to modern-day persecution and the life of Muslims in Sudan. Based on real-life events, Mercy Triumphs reveals some of the struggles Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for new believers, those who are persecuted for their faith, and even for the salvation of the persecutors.
SERIES: Side by Side #3
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Women’s Fiction
PUBLISHER: New Hope Publishers
RELEASE DATE: September 4, 2017
PAGES: 230
Other Books In This Series
“This is exactly how they could fight the misperceptions flooding the media: one relationship at a time.”
I have so enjoyed this series from Jana Kelley – Mia’s relationships with her Muslim friends speak to my heart so clearly, reminding me of my own friendships with Muslim women. Even though I have never lived overseas, not to mention never in a country where it was dangerous to follow Jesus, I can’t describe to you how it feels to give that part of my life an understanding voice. Someone else knows what it’s like to build those relationships, what it’s like to navigate the tricky waters of different faiths, and what it’s like to sit around a table heaped with Arabic food and laugh until we cry.
In this final book, Mercy Triumphs, Mia and Halimah and Rania face obstacles unlike anything they’ve quite experienced before. All along the journey, they learn to trust God more profoundly with their own lives and with the lives of their friends and family. I love that these novels can be used to spark conversation between believers but also provide a bit of guidance on how to start faith-conversations with Muslim friends and neighbors.
Mia and the woman she befriends – in Sudan and in the States – are women we can all relate to, even if we haven’t had the same life experiences. They love their children. They love their families. They love feeling beautiful. They love visiting friends. They struggle with doubt. They struggle with insecurity and anxiety. And Jana Kelley shines a light on each dear woman with her own gentle and engaging writing style.
Bottom Line: You may cry. You’ll probably smile. And you will certainly be drawn to these characters and their stories. In fact, I kinda hate to say goodbye to them. Through the ins and outs and ups and downs of Mia and Michael’s lives as aid workers/Jesus-followers living in Sudan, Kelley reminds readers of God’s tender love for His children and of His triumphant mercy. (While each book can be read as a stand alone, you will understand the journey better if you read the series in order.)
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4 stars / Powerful
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Author of the captivating “Side by Side” series, 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 13 years living in Africa and the Middle East, Jana, her husband, and their three boys moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live.
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What about you? Do you have friends of different faiths? How do you bring up Jesus in ways that fit naturally within your friendship?
Really interested in these books!
i thought you might be 🙂
Hi Sarah! I hope you’ll get a chance to read them!
I have friends of lots of different faiths. We have kind of an unspoken rule that you don’t push yours on others and there is no right or wrong way – each to his or her own. To be open to learn can cause you to look at things through new eyes some times.
Hi Kay, Thanks for leaving a comment and your thoughts on relationships with women of other faiths. I found it surprisingly easy and natural to visit with Muslim women about their faith and mine while living overseas. You are right about being open to learn…we can definitely gain new perspective. Thanks for sharing!
I believe there IS a right way, but it doesn’t do any good to push it on someone else.
I loved book one! This series is a must read!
Hi Carylkane 🙂
Thanks so much for your comment. I am glad you enjoyed book one. Hope you’ll enjoy the next two as well!
agreed!
Carrie, Thanks so much for featuring Mercy Triumphs on your website!
My pleasure!