Tears behind the veil
357527
Tears behind the veil Gripping true life tale
Showing women being abused and the unfairness of arranged marriage
Could relate to hopelessness
663538
Veronika's life story is so shocking and profoundly sad that I found myself in tears as I read. it actually made my heart hurt to think that human beings could inflict torture on another in this way. It is a testament to her strength and courage to live the story not once but twice as she retold it in her memoir. For a person to come through a life of horror and maintain her humanity against all odds is truly an amazing feat. Many thanks for sharing your story and continuing to shine your light with others! Keep writing as it is one of your special gifts to the world!
3496138
This is a novel that lets the reader see behind the veil separating this world from our the "other" world.  It is an amazing piece of work for C.S. Lewis; a real triumph for those who want to see true evil exposed.
Parts of the novel can become slightly confusing to a reader unfamiliar with the time-period in which C.S. Lewis uses as a backdrop to this story...but other than that one drawback, it is an awesome piece of work.
[...]
3788650
Absolutely fantastic read! You will shed tears and experience their pain, but it is worth every page. Just love Khaled Hosseini's books.
1168534
This book was a surprise from the beginning. I never ceased to be amazed at the places that the author was able to find herself and the experiences that she had. The honesty that was revealed in her reporting was gut-wrenching at times, heart stopping at times - I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I've read a number of books with the women of Islam as the topic, and this one hit home more than any other. A must read for anyone interested in seeing the "real" story behind the veil.
4239168
So very interesting, and deeply touching. I still choke up and corral my tears when the story
moves to the near sacrifice of Isaac and the obedience of Abraham. Well done!! Bravo!!
2868971
Eye-opening and informative tour behind the very closed curtain that is Saudi Arabian culture. I found this book very interesting and also very disturbing. My understanding of what other women have to live with and endure has been expanded. So much wrong and extreme control in the name of religion, and I do hope this little window into a life helps open doors in our very messed up and chaotic world.
559771
What a beautiful true story that transcends two worlds and brings us to the place where we are all the same - people made in the image of God.  I was moved to tears more than once, I smiled, laughed and cringed as I read through this amazing tale.  In one way it was shocking to see that in my lifetime there have been people living in the conditions of one man while others are living in the "lap of luxury".  But not only did God have to bring them from two extremes and bring them together, but then a sad event unites them.  This is a touching story that has pearls of wisdom and spiritual insight wrapped in a covering of a story that will keep you turning the pages for more.  Highly recommended!
1710408
This story will take you right into the heart of God's people as they begin their journey to freedom from Egypt.  The tale immediately takes on a aura of intrigue.  You can almost taste the manna, feel the dust and grime on your face and feel the awe at witnessing the hovering cloud with shekinah glory bursting from it's midst.  Author Connilyn Cossette shares many factual details of the desert, the customs and times into her book.  She has a gift of sharing people's emotions, thoughts and actions in vividness that makes the reader feel they are part of the story not just a bystander.  The story of Shira, Ayal and Dvorah takes the ideal of forgiveness down to the hard root level of how this would play out in real life. Even as I read their individual stories I found myself at some points judging the characters of this book. I didn't always like them.  I was angry and horrified by their actions.  I even thought to myself, "Where is the author going with this?"  But with amazing skill and insight into God's way of seeing a person's soul she brings to life a wondrous picture of how much God wants us to be His beloved children no matter what our past may have held.

I received this book free from the publishers.
2346266
I finished this very touching story with tears and a sense of heartache. My wife and I have been working in Rwanda at Nyungwe National Park and we've heard just brief personal stories, too painful to tell in detail. Ms. Benaron weaves the fabric of fictional lives with the knotty facts of the genocide and the colonial manipulations that fed the painful civil conflicts for decades in Rwanda. The people in Rwanda are warm, thoughtful folks who have endured one of history's most painful stories. Running the Rift will endure as one of many ways to better understand what cannot be understood.

Tim Merriman
735082
You'll be happy to know that I've actually read this novel, and I can't say enough good things about it.  I read it in an attempt to understand more about the lives and motivations of Muslim women, and I wasn't disappointed.  What I didn't anticipate was how much I would enjoy this book as a universal "coming of age" story.  It isn't a story for and about Muslim women, it is for and about ALL women.  Truly wonderful.  Thank you for sharing your veil with us Mohja.
2242328
Behind the Veils of Yemen by Audra Grace Shelby is an amazing look at the life of women in Yemen. In this book, Audra shares the journey her family takes from becoming missionaries through their time in Yemen. There are two things that really stood out to me in this book. First, God is always faithful and still works in many miraculous ways. Second, the life of Muslim women in Yemen is not what I expected. What many would consider degrading or abusive, they see as a way of life and honoring to God. I found it interesting that when the woman gather together and the veils come off, they are not drastically different than Western women. They share in each others lives. They discuss struggles and celebrate joyous events. They do everything they can to honor God and not bring shame to their families. However, their view of God is heartbreaking. Their god is not a loving god, but a vengeful god who is very impersonal. They fail to even get proper medical care at times because if it is God's will they believe they will get well on their own. This book drove me to pray for God to remove the blindness these women have towards the true God. It also led me to give thanks for those going to foreign lands to bring the true God and the Gospel to those who need to hear.  This book was both encouraging and heart breaking. This would be a book I recommend for anyone to read.

I have received this book free for review from Chosen Books.
3130138
I  (Vanessa Bordlee) am reading this book now.  Tears keep flowing as I hear Linda's telling of the events that broke my heart in 2004.  I remember sending 3ABN a check for $500.00 after much prayer.  My second son was soon due to be born and I was regularly watching 3 ABN programming.  I especially liked the segments where Linda spoke with her dog in attendance.  As my due date neared, I asked God to be my Doula and protect my baby (my first delivery had been rather fraught with complications).  I notified the doula that I had lined up and told her that I'd changed my mind.  The money I'd saved to pay her, I used to send to 3ABN.  Then in June, as I watched the heartbreaking situation unfold live on the air (the president "talking out of school" as they used to say where I grew up, I cried.  It was so depressing to witness the choices the president was making (to accuse and cause hardship to the vice-president).  I remember being so discouraged over it.  I'd sent my piggy bank's last cent to support this ministry!  I recognized that Linda was having to endure similar hardships that Jesus had endured.  Her silent witness continued to minister to my heart.  Truth is healing.  Crying may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.  Linda's courage to write her truth after all these years (my son is now almost 12) is restorative.  I began  songwriting around this time due to many disappointments (not the least of which was the realization that 3ABN was not the Savior I had once thought it to be).  This was a blessing to me and the first song I wrote was about a rainbow.  So, the part of the story where Linda sees the rainbows is of particular interest to me.  My song was also a comfort to me from Heaven.  (Our home had flooded about a year prior to that and we went through a lot with the restoration and eventual sale of our home---the text kept coming to my mind, "the enemy comes in like a flood."  I think that God was lovingly preparing me for the great disappointment I was to feel on the night I witnessed the great disgrace to Linda Shelton.  I appreciate the way Linda has framed the sad story--with elements of forgiveness and truth woven together.  I also appreciate her loyalty to a God who does allow wheat and tares to grow side by side, ever patiently ready to restore.  I will continue to read the rest of the book with great respect and grief over the years of pain the author Linda Shelton endured.  I pray that God grant her courage and strength for the days ahead.  I pray for healing to all the hearts involved.
1922251
A tear jerker for sure! I bought this book for my oldest just before her little sister arrived. We have had it for about 5 months now and I still tear up a bit when readying it. Beautifully written!
534859
This book had my tears leaking out down the side of my face when I did not know I was crying. So moving. Puts our lives in perspective.  Thank you, Charles Martin!  Sincerely, Lynne Martin
505451
Behind the Veils of Yemen

Audra Grace Shelby

Behind the Veils of Yemen is a lovely and passionate book, one I could not put down. It is a beautiful glimpse into God's desire for His people and a passionate tale of pursuing God's purpose reaching out to the lost.

Behind the Veils of Yemen is the story of one woman's spiritual journey in the mission field. Ms. Shelby serves the Lord in a dark and dangerous place... a place hostile to Christians... the Middle East. She risks her own life and invests her heart into the lives of women hungry for the truth of Christ. Women who know nothing but a lie and long for the freedom that only Christ can give. Even though the journey is tough, she perseveres knowing that God desires to hold each of His children close to His heart.

In the book, Ms. Shelby also documents her struggles and questions that challenge her faith. She shares her heart openly and honestly. In the ups and downs, she serves the Lord with sincerity ...a prayer of my own heart. She risks her family's well-being through danger and disease to proclaim the Word of God to women who have no access to Bibles or the ability to read in their own language. She sees answers to prayers and testifies that God is enough. Most of all, Mrs. Shelby experiences the joy of the Lord as he reveals more of His heart to her.

This book is prophecy to all who have not served as missionaries. It is encouragement. It testifies to God's faithfulness that He is who he says He is and He does what He says He will do. He desires that all come to repentence.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
2304249
Dr. Riad Kassis book is a thoughtful insight into the world of suffering Christians in the Syria-Iraq conflict.  How can believers even begin to understand the ways of God when all seems so bleak and gruesome?

Kassis takes us back through the  centuries as we observe Habakkuk physically and emotionally struggling with similar testings.  Somehow, even through the night of stygian darkness, the prophet was able to cling to his unshakable faith.

The author is no armchair theologian/philosopher.  His home is just a few miles from the Lebanon-Syria border.  His wife ministers to the Diaspora.  They frequently visit Damascus and other areas in Syria where family reside.

It is worth the price of the book to read the painful account of the young girl who survived a missile attack which cruelly took the life of her twin sister as they sat on the porch of their home.

Thank you, Dr. Kassis for taking us to places with God that stretch and challenge us.

Phil Parshall
SIM  Sebring, Florida