The Next Target

April 16, 2012
Award-winning novelist Arana (The Winds of Sonoma) brings her real-life ministry among Muslim women to bear in her newest. When ESL teacher Austia hires a translator, Zaki, to work among Muslim immigrants learning English, she soon suspects he is involved with a plot to kill her because of his ties to a terrorist cell. But Zaki is actually an operative for the FBI infiltrating the cell to bring it down. He’s torn between a tough assignment and a precarious cover, and any overt action to keep Austia safe will jeopardize his mission. Arana’s vivid imagery is imbued with spiritual force (“The single, avid eye of hell was focused on her every move”), and her pacing is fiercely powerful. The novel raises gripping issues of liberties, religion, and cross-cultural and cross-religious dialogue. Through the eyes of Zaki and Austia, deep religious and moral conviction is examined in real-life situations. Characters are multidimensional as they fight “or truths that were self-evident, for rights endowed by the Creator...” Above all else, Arana treats the interplay of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism compassionately and fairly. Agent: Natasha Kern.

June 15, 2012

Austia Donatelli's husband ministered to Muslims before his death. Deciding to continue with his evangelical work, she begins teaching English to immigrant women at the local career center. When several question her about Christianity, Austia instructs them even though she knows she could put her students in a precarious position in their family and faith communities. Then, a student, Sabirah, is found shot to death, and a Muslim man named Zaki applies for a job at the center as an interpreter. Has he been sent by Muslim extremists to spy on Austia? Will she become the next target? VERDICT Arana's (The Winds of Sonoma) vivid use of dark and light imagery imbues her well-written suspense story with a spiritual force. The continual repetition of backstory to remind readers of previous events mars the novel's pacing. Still, readers who enjoyed Davis Bunn's Riders of the Pale Horse will want to try this title.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.