Veiled Freedom [Paperback]

Jeanette Windle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 20, 2009

Naïve and idealistic, relief worker Amy Mallory arrives in Kabul ready to change the world. She soon discovers that as a woman in Afghanistan, the challenges she faces are monumental. As the new security chief to the Minister of the Interior, former Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson is disillusioned to find that the country he fought to set free has fallen into its old habits of greed and corruption. Afghani native Jamil returns to his homeland seeking a job while his painful past continues to haunt him. All three search for truth . . . and for freedom . . . but at what cost?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Windle—author of the political/suspense thriller CrossFire—taps into current events with her newest novel, set in Afghanistan. Relief worker Amy Mallory had dreamed of working in Kabul for years, yet her first impressions of the dusty, tradition-bound city aren't great. Steve Wilson, leader of the personal security detail for Afghanistan's minister of the interior, carries memories of his last time in the war-torn country. And Jamil, the Afghan whom Amy hires as her interpreter, is haunted by his past. The trio's lives entwine as they struggle to live and work in Kabul, Amy through New Hope—offering protection to women released from prison—and Steve through protecting Khalid Sayef, a leader who promises reform. Windle's writing sings when she compares the teachings of Isa Masih (Jesus Christ) with those of Muhammad, but occasionally clunks with overuse of acronyms and convoluted sentences. Yet readers will be enthralled with this penetrating look at Afghanistan and its many mysteries revealed through the lives of flawed men and women. Windle is a top-notch storyteller. (June)
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From Booklist

Amy Mallory is a young and naive Christian relief worker who arrives in Afghanistan ready to take on the world and share her faith. Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson helped drive the Taliban from Kabul, but he’s since signed on with the private security firm tasked with protecting key members of the Afghani government. In Afghanistan, Jamil’s family was once wealthy and respected, but greed and enmity have destroyed Jamil’s hopes of a future; he lives day-to-day and is grateful for any small blessing. Windle builds on her own experience as a missionary in South America, and her sterling reputation for creating thrilling Christian evangelical fiction in her newest novel of international intrigue. Readers familiar with the demands and expectations of life in an Islamic country may find Amy’s behavior unrealistic, but Windle’s vivid descriptions and complex, high-stakes plot make for a fast-paced, intensely political drama that succeeds in bringing a fascinating culture to life. --Lynne Welch

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; 1st edition (May 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414314752
• ISBN-13: 978-1414314754
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As the 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. Curently based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty. She has more than fifteen books in print, including political/suspense best seller CrossFire and 2010 CBA Award finalist and Christy Award finalist Veiled Freedom.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The absolute MUST READ book of the year!, June 30, 2009

By 

Kimfurd "Kimfurd" (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Veiled Freedom (Paperback)

Amy Mallory is a relief worker in Afghanistan, and she has followed her heart and God's direction to work among the people of this war-torn country. Her heart and mind are in no way prepared for what she encounters when she arrives in the country, and by the time she reaches the end of her three-month contract, Amy is seeking real answers to some very difficult questions indeed. Can she really make a difference when she isn't free at all to share her knowledge of Christ's love with others? In a country that operates within such convoluted avenues of deceit and terrorism, can she make any difference at all?

Steve Wilson is a former U.S. soldier that has returned to Afghanistan to fulfill a private security contract for a national political figure. Bitter, disillusioned and heart-sore from his earlier experiences in-country, Steve approaches his new job with a healthy amount of skepticism and distrust. When he encounters Amy Wallace and her relief work among the Afghani women and children, his heart is touched in a way it hasn't been in a long time. And when he begins to secure the perimeters of her non-profit project, he discovers that he still must uncover his own heart's passion toward the people of Afghanistan before he can make a real difference. Will he follow his heart? Or will he continue to perform a duty that is empty of meaning?

Veiled Freedom is a book that has changed my life. For the first time since the September 11th attacks on our country, I think I now have a grasp on what is really taking place in Afghanistan and Iraq. Jeanette Windle has carefully researched and recreated the Afghan culture in her latest novel, and she explores the many different viewpoints through which people view U.S. involvement in this conflict. She also explores the basic beliefs of Islam alongside Christianity, and she reveals the true difference between these two faiths using teachings from the Bible and the Quran. Honestly, I don't know when I have been so deeply moved by a novel!

I don't say this lightly either. Jeanette Windle has written a novel that contains a lot of truth, and it is one that makes you consider every angle of the war in which we are engaged. The powerful picture of God's sovereignty over years of conflict and in spite of flawed human actions and motives was so amazing that I am still just soaking it all in. It's true. It's real. And God is working as never before among His people!

So I'm going to say this...if you don't read anything else, read Veiled Freedom by J.M. Windle. This is current...this is real...this is something we all need to understand within the context of our salvation and God's ability to use our lives to reach others for Him. You will NEVER forget this book! Never! Veiled Freedom...go...buy your copy today

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Branch out and read this novel, June 30, 2009

By 

notes of jubilee (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Veiled Freedom (Paperback)

This kind of novel is not my usual reading fare, but I wanted to branch out a bit, so decided that Veiled Freedom looked like a good choice. I was not wrong. Nor was I disappointed.

The novel is told from three distinct points of view, flowing nicely and not at all confusing. This gives the reader the chance to discover just who the main characters are and what motivates them. Though the identity of the third person is not revealed until well into the book, the reader does glean a good sense of who he might be.

I have to admit to only a passing familiarity of Muslims and the Islamic faith, so this novel provided a bit of an education for me. And though I understand the author to be Christian, I didn't feel as though the Muslim faith was slighted, but rather explained. Perhaps revealed is an even better word. And I came away from this experience with more compassion toward the people of Islam than I had before reading Veiled Freedom.

The book stands completely and confidently on it's own, but I can't help wishing that Veiled Freedom is the start of a series.

This book was provided free of charge by the publisher. No payment was provided in return for this review. The publisher had no editorial rights or claims over the content or the conclusions made in this review.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars kindredspiritreviews.blogspot.com, June 30, 2009

By 

Lindz (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Veiled Freedom (Paperback)

In a few words: Another exciting read by Jeanette Windle that made me want more. :-)

Full Review:

Veiled Freedom. Just the title is intriguing, isn't it? I traveled (virtually) with relief worker Amy Mallory as she bravely headed to Afghanistan, a passion for helping people strong in her heart. Though she's young, she's not (too) afraid, and steps out to help the women of Afghanistan who have no one to turn to. It's quite an undertaking, one not fully supported by the people of Afghanistan, and she finds more than a few obstacles before her. Throw in a good-looking but rough and not-so-well-mannered American soldier that doesn't believe people like Amy can make a difference in Afghanistan, but somehow can't manage to stay away from her... I was hooked!

Veiled Freedom is full of excitement, political intrigue, and mystery. The culture and atmosphere of the Middle East is brought vividly to life on the page - at times I was just so thankful to be in America and not in a place like that... at other times the author made me feel like it's something I should see. Ms. Windle gave me some things to think about when it comes to the Muslim culture... one of the many struggles Amy faces involves sharing her faith with one of the Muslim workers - I really wanted to see how she dealt with it. It can be hard to share our hearts and Christ with people at times in our free United States, but imagine not feeling free to share your beliefs and faith with someone in another country for fear of what might happen to you!

I'm giving this book four out of five stars - it isn't quite as fast-paced as her others, and isn't quite as character-focused as I like (I want to know the characters deepest thoughts and what drives them) but is definitely worth the read. I found it hard to put down and the plot was very well-developed. This would make an AWESOME movie!

The Author:

I am a die-hard Jeanette Windle fan. Crossfire was my first book by this author and I was so impressed with that one I knew I would have to keep tabs on her future book releases. I don't plan on missing out!