Veiled Freedom

April 20, 2009
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.

May 1, 2009
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 hes since signed on with the private security firm tasked with protecting key members of the Afghani government.In Afghanistan, Jamils family was once wealthy and respected, but greed and enmity have destroyed Jamils 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 Amys behavior unrealistic, but Windles vivid descriptions and complex, high-stakes plot make fora fast-paced, intensely political drama that succeeds in bringinga fascinating culture to life.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)