Freedom's Stand [Paperback]

Jeanette Windle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2011

Jamil renounced a life of jihad when he encountered the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, but villagers and authorities in the hills of Afghanistan respond with skepticism . . . and even violence.
Relief worker Amy Mallory is shocked by the changes in her organization—changes with dire implications for the women and children under her care. And concern for her former assistant, Jamil, weighs heavily on her heart.
Former Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson faces off against the riots and corruption of Kabul’s upcoming election. He's looking for something that will give his life purpose but is confident that he won’t find it in Afghanistan.
All three are searching for love and freedom in a country where political and religious injustice runs rampant. But when religious freedom becomes a matter of life and death, they discover that the cost of following Jesus may require the ultimate sacrifice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Absolutely riveting. Move over, Kite Runner, because Freedom’s Stand captures the life and culture of Afghanistan . . . while offering a gripping message of hope. . . . An absolute must read.” 
-Susan May Warren, RITA Award–winning author of My Foolish Heart

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From the Back Cover

Find something to believe in . . .
Jamil renounced a life of jihad when he encountered the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. But his new mission as an itinerant health worker in the hills of Afghanistan is met with skepticism and even violence.

Returning to Kabul, relief worker Amy Mallory is shocked by the changes in her organization—changes with dire implications for the women and children under her care. And concern for her former assistant Jamil weighs heavily on her heart.

Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson faces off against the riots and corruption of Afghanistan’s upcoming election. He’s looking for something that will give his life purpose but is confident that he won’t find it in Afghanistan.

All three are searching for love and freedom. But in a country where political and religious injustice runs rampant, the cost of either may be higher than they realize.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414314760
• ISBN-13: 978-1414314761
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #758,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As child of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty on five continents. Those experiences have birthed 16 international intrigue titles, including bestselling Tyndale House Publishers release Veiled Freedom, a 2010 ECPA Christian Book Award and Christy Award finalist and sequel Freedom's Stand, a 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award and Carol Award finalist and 2011 Golden Scroll Novel of the Year finalist. Check out author interviews, reviews, and more at Jeanette's website: www.jeanettewindle.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For the love of Isa Masih May 17, 2011

By Renee

Format:Paperback

What do a former suicide bomber, a relief worker, and a special forces veteran have in common? They're all trying to live out the call of Isa Masih in the war-torn land of Afghanistan. Not familiar with Isa Masih? You probably know Him by another name: Jesus the Messiah.

Jamil, Amy Mallory, and Steve Wilson are characters from Jeanette Windle's novel Freedom's Stand. In one way or another, these characters pay a high price for following Isa Masih. Though their story is a work of fiction, the lives and events depicted serve as vivid reminders of what our brothers and sisters in Christ are undergoing in a volatile part of the world.

Because stories like this can build our faith as they entertain, I would label Freedom's Stand a must-read. However, be forewarned that it is not an easy book to experience. Oh, there's nothing graphic or gratuitous within its pages. However, knowing how realistic the plight of the characters was made the story difficult to bear at times. I especially ached when reading about one young girl named Farah, who at age sixteen had come to believe that love was an illusion, no man could be trusted, and pain and heartache were a woman's lot in life. I was left wondering, how many others in the world feel the same? And how can we help them hear about Christ?

How would I describe this story? Suspenseful. Riveting. Convicting. Hopeful. Why hopeful? Because in the end, the love of Isa Masih changes lives, renews hearts, and gives meaning to every sacrifice. A few of the characters even experience romance. Just enough to remind us that God puts the lonely in families and gives helpmeets to share the load as His children journey through life together--no matter where in the world that might be!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great offering from Jeanette Windle! May 17, 2011

By Kathi Macias

Format:Paperback

In a time when Afghanistan is in the news almost daily, it is both refreshing and challenging to read a story of courage and candor, adventure and romance set among this ancient and passionate people. Only one with a love for the Afghanis and an understanding of their culture could bring such a story to life, and author J. M. Windle has done it. From the opening pages we are captured by the plight of a nearly invisible young girl whose life has been difficult beyond our imagining. Having lost everyone she's ever loved, she now finds she is to be married off to a cruel master who will never give her the love she so desires. And so she gathers her courage and strikes out on her own, scarcely aware of what she seeks but knowing she cannot stay and face the fate that awaits her. Through endless intrigue and adventure, we are drawn into the lives of these Afghan people, as we learn their culture, fight their battles, dream their dreams...and ultimately travel with them as they discover the truth about the Prophet they know only as Isa. It is then that they must decide the price they are willing to pay to follow Him...or not. This book will do so much more than entertain us as readers, though it certainly does that. It will challenge us at the deepest level of our commitment and encourage us to stand for freedom...regardless of the cost.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fan March 2, 2013

By Coffee

Format:Paperback

I'm a fan of this author. She writes Christian books that I can appreciate. I'm really not a typical woman, I don't like most 'Christian' fiction and the 'Christian Romance' genera is all too obvious and overly perfect and idealized. If you've never read any of this author's works, I also recommend her book 'Betrayed'- wow! Again, I'm really not into the 'romance' aspects of these books because they are so obvious but 'Betrayed' kept me guessing.

This book however, though to some degree idealized
(because honestly, you're usually not going to have a hero with all the bells and whistles available to come to your aid constantly)
does give a good insight into the Islamic world.
(Ya, I know that's a hot topic and I'll get blasted, but this is a Christian book, if you want to retaliate, write your own book. )

This book is well written, I'm a visual person and it's written well enough to paint enough of a sensory picture to keep me reading and leaves out just the right amount so I'm not overloaded with unnecessary details.

I also have to say as a warning to those who may be sensitive, it does tread on the issue of sexual assault and may be triggering. It's quite obvious that the author has not experienced this and is writing to make a point, which I will take over the authors who use sexual assault as an entertainment point to arouse their audience rather than the serious 1-in-5 real life issue that it is. But again, well written and not your run of the mill starry eyed 'Christian' novel.

I will continue to buy her books because I can get into them and being 'Christian' literature, I don't have to worry about them getting too graphic or cursing, which I get enough of in this world.

I hope you'll consider reading her works even if you just check them out from the library because they're worth your time.