Side by Side by Jana Kelley

Side by Side is a book that I will not forget. The risk, the secrets, and the rules all lead to the tension in this book. There were some parts of this book that I was completely shocked by. I had no idea that certain things happened in Sudan, Africa.

I admired Mia being able to set aside her fears to move to Sudan for the gospel. I have talked with several of my missionary friends who are moms and they have shared with me the same feelings that Mia expressed in this book. I think that I would feel that same way when it came to taking care of my family.

It was hard to read what Halimah went through and what certain choices cost them. I know many in real-life are just like her and I am amazed. The relationships she had was interesting to read about.

I appreciated that Jana Kelley wrote this book from some of her real-life experiences while living in Sudan. Her knowledge adds so much to the story. It also helped that she put her own struggles in it through the character Mia. It gave the reader a wonderful perspective of what it would be like to forsake it all and move to a different country for the sake of the Gospel.

Days later after reading the final chapter of this book, I can not get the story out of my head. It is one that will be recommended over and over by me.

To read more reviews about this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/books/side-by-side.

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About the Book

                       Side by Side (New Hope Publishers, April 2015)
In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia’s life collides with that of another young woman.
A young Christian American mother, Mia finds more than one dark secret on the streets of Khartoum. She finds Halimah, a young, upper-class Arab student with a bright future in her family’s business whose risky and secretive decision has put her life in danger. What happens when the path of a young mother intersects with that of a spunky Sudanese student? God transforms them both . . . forever.
Part of New Hope® Publishers’ contemporary missional fiction line, Side by Side opens the reader’s eyes to the life of Muslims in Sudan as well as 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 pray for the salvation of those who persecute.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Jana’s website.

Jana Kelley

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 college. She and her husband married a month after she graduated and by their second anniversary, they were living in a remote African town. Together with her husband and three boys, Jana enjoys travel and overseas living. After thirteen years in Africa and the Middle East, Jana and her family moved to Southeast Asia where they currently live.

 

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I received this book free from New Hope Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.