Writing Remnants

It is the anniversary of September 11th.

I would like to take the opportunity to share about The Next Target, by Nikki Arana. Nikki is an amazing writer with a love for people that crosses cultural barriers. I think this attribute really enabled her to write such a thoughtful and exciting novel whose plot revolves around radical Islam!

Nikki's main character, Austia Donetelli has a heart for the Muslim community. Austia works at a career center that helps Muslim immigrants find jobs and her desire is to help women oppressed by radical Islam. When a young woman whom Austia befriends is found dead, she knows that it is not a random act of violence and in spite of the threats to her own life, refuses to be intimidated, even though her ministry and life are at stake.

Austia must decide how far she is willing to go to hold fast to her mission and stand up for those with no voice.

I first heard about "honor killing" in 1991, when a Palestinian father, here in St. Louis, stabbed his daughter to death while her mother held her down. The FBI had bugged their house because the father was a suspect in some terrorist activity at the time. The whole incident was recorded-- it still brings tears to my eyes. So for me The Next Target had a personal ring to it, even though I didn't know the girl personally.  But I do have daughters.

Nikki Arana has received awards for her writing, including the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year award and Christianbook.com Top20 Novel of the Year for The Winds of Sonoma. Through her ministry, A Voice for the Persecuted, she inspires hearts toward evangelizing the Muslim community.

I know that she inspired me.

Please check out Nikki's blog and web site: www.nikkiarana.com

She is also on Facebook and Twitter!

David C. Cook is the publisher.